A fisherman of 15 years, Abdul Aiyaaz, believes joining the newly established Nadi Fisherman Association will allow members to get the necessary help amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Aiyaaz, 38, of Fantasy Road, Nadi, also believes that members will be able to voice their concerns as a unit.

“Before the pandemic, I would be able to sell fish I caught to hotels and earn around $550 per week. Now, it is as low as $200,” he said after the meeting on Monday at Korovuto.

“After a cyclone, we don’t catch many fish. During any bad weather we stay at home as per the warnings and so we do lose out a lot. I hope the association will be able to voice our concerns and reach out to the relevant authorities for assistance.”

Nadi Fisherman Association president Usman (Lale) Ali said: “This industry in Nadi has been hit badly by the COVID-19 pandemic. And this formation of the association will assist us to come up collectively and assist each other.”

Also present at the meeting were representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF).