Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is leading the campaign in preventing the elimination of some fish species in Fiji.

Mr Bainimarama, on Monday, pledged not to eat reef fish Donu and Kawakawa under the Grouper species during their spawning period from this month (June) to September.

Mr Bainimarama made the pledge after opening the National Environment Week in Valelevu, Nasinu on Monday.

He is among more than 200 people who have pledged not to eat or sell these fish species during its four- month spawning period.

The awareness is part of the 4FJ campaign, an initiative of non-governmental organisation (NGO), SeaWeb Asia Pacific.

SeaWeb programme associate Alumeci Nakeke said the fish species were important food sources and income generation for most Fijian communities.

She said a survey conducted in Suva last year highlighted that the population of the two fish species was declining rapidly.

“Usually they are vulnerable at this time to gather together at this time to reproduce. This is part of our natural resource, so people’s livelihood depends on these fish because the two species are usually reserved for chiefs. There is a need to preserve them,” Ms Nakeke said.

The campaign has been gaining a lot of pledges from members of the public since the start of the National Environment Week celebration in Valelevu, Nasinu on Monday. More than 3000 people pledged not to eat and sell the two fish species last year, she said.

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