Potential 'saviour' in our waters, for sugar industry

THE fishing industry could very well be Fiji's economic saviour, especially with the sugar industry struggling.

During the 2011 Budget announcement, the fisheries export project was $181million for 2011 and $190m for 2012 but back then, the trade agreement between the European Union and Fiji was not considered, says Fisheries permanent secretary Commander Viliame Naupoto.

Fiji was delisted at the outcome of the EU audit back in 2007 and it only this week that the European Parliament re-enlisted Fiji.

"Now that we are back with the EU, it is not a matter of taking over from sugar," he said.

"Fisheries is becoming a strong pillar of our economy, especially when sugar is down right now."

Commander Naupoto said the fishing industry should take advantage of the export opportunity with the EU. "The plan we have to put in place is to get raw materials in Fiji," he said.

"We have to set our policy so that we are attractive to those in the Pacific by people going out to fish elsewhere but have the fish brought back and prepared for export here.

"We also need to get our vessles to be EU compliant if we want to maximise the EU market."

source: fijitimes