19 Nov 2018

China to assist Fiji with fisheries

10:49 am on 19 November 2018

China has signed an agreement with Fiji to provide assistance with rebuilding its fish stocks.

Fresh fish for sale in Nadi fish market in Viti levu Island, Fiji.

Photo: Rafael Ben-Ari

Fiji's Fisheries Minister Semi Koroilavesau said the two countries inked a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this month on fisheries cooperation.

Under the agreement, officials from Hainan province in China will help Fiji set up fisheries aquaculture for threatened fish stocks, including trout.

This could include machinery, infrastructure, technology and financial assistance, but the details have not yet been finalised, Mr Koroilavesau said.

In September, the Fiji Times reported the Fisheries Ministry had developed two sea cucumber nurseries in Daku and Tailevu, in an attempt to replenish diminishing stocks.