Get Licence, says Tui Macuata

Fiji Sun News - 6 June 2010

Macuata villagers, who wish to engage in fishing and harvesting of marine products for commercial gain, are advised to get a fishing licence.This was the advice of Tui Macuata, Ratu Aisea Katonivere, during the Macuata Provincial Council meeting in Seaqaqa. Ratu Aisea said, he was aware of concerns raised by fishing grounds owners in his province over protected fishing grounds or i qoliqoli. “There will be a submission endorsed by the Macuata Provincial Council and it will be sent to the Commissioner Northern to address the issue,” said Ratu Aisea. He said the issue was discussed because of fishing rights under the regulations of the Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Administration. He said the administration would conduct awareness programmes next month in Macuata to train, register and certify boat owners and operators. “FIMSA has decided to have a four-day awareness programme next month at Naduri and Udu.” “Before this awareness programme, boat owners need to have all boat requirements-like life jackets, and fire extinguishers.”He said boat owners had to spend a lot of money to travel to Suva to buy equipment required by the administration.