Director Fisheries, Ms Mere Lakeba says that fishers will need to secure their assets like boats and engines as well as fishing gear.

Villages that were assisted with solar freezers are advised to remove solar panels from the rooftops and properly secure them in a safe place.

“This is a precautionary measure and we trust that the Fishermen’s associations in villages and communities will be able to work together to ensure that all assets are properly stored away,” said Ms Lakeba.

“We are also advising tilapia, prawn and shrimp farmers to secure pond and feed stocks and prepare themselves in case flooding occurs.

Private hatcheries to also take heed and take utmost care in securing assets and broodstocks.

If possible, move broodstocks to more secure ponds or net and seal the pond bunds or undertake necessary measure to avoid loss of standing stocks.”

Fishers are advised to adhere to all public advisories by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Fiji MET Office.