Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau visited Northern Division’s first shrimp aquaculture proposed site yesterday.

He said consultations were in progress with the Ministry of Lands, the iTaukei Land Trust Board, and tenants of Korovatu in Labasa.

The tenants are sugarcane and rice farmers and they could not use the land for farming because it used to get flooded with seawater.

Mr Koroilavesau said the land had been barren for about 10 years.

“We had visited this site three years ago and now we feel it is the right time to establish the Northern Division’s first commercial shrimp aquaculture,” Mr Koroilavesau said.

“We want to have shrimp because here is the availability of good brackish water.”

The ministry is looking at utilising 200 hectares of barren land.

“For this project, we planned for commercial farming on a big scale so that we can have for local consumption and export,” he said.

“The Korovatu shrimp aquaculture project would be a good attraction for Australia and New Zealand, which is known for its pristine water and weather. We already have attraction from South East Asia and China.”

He said although these countries had abundance in supply, they believed Fiji’s product was much better due to its brand and name.

Over the past three days, Mr Koroilavesau visited all the aquaculture projects in Bua, Cakaudrove and Macuata.

The tour ended yesterday.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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