The fishing and post-harvest equipment came at an opportune time when the Lautoka Fishers Cooperative Limited (LFCL) had limited resources.

Cooperative chairman Jonetani Nasau said this after receiving the equipment donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the Ministry of Fisheries (MOF) initiatives.

The handover was held at the Lautoka Fisheries Wharf.

Mr Nasau said the LFCL was established last year and was now fully registered as a cooperative.

It has 15 members from the Western Division.

He highlighted the lack of equipment and the condition of the existing equipment as their main challenges.

The cooperative consists mostly of fishermen from various areas, including Yasawas, Waya, Namara, Malolo, Natavarau, and Nadi.

These members contribute $50 as an investment to the cooperative.

JICA chief advisor and expert for marine resource management Minoru Tamura said Japan’s vast knowledge of the fisheries sector and its 945 fisher cooperatives allowed it to share knowledge with upcoming fisher cooperatives in Fiji.

“This is a starting point so please cooperate with the Department of Fisheries,” he said.

The Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Kalaveti Ravu said its west branch implemented the LFCL pilot project that would be duplicated to other Pacific Island Countries through the south-south cooperation.

Story by: salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj