Bainivalu seeks bigger budget for fisheries, forestry

The Ministries of Fisheries and Forestry are seeking a larger budget allocation to fund new programmes and implement the Mahogany Bill 2025, despite Government pressure to curb spending.

Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Alitia Bainivalu has submitted an increased budget bid to the Ministry of Finance for the 2026–2027 financial year, although she says the final allocation will depend on the ministry’s assessment.

Ms Bainivalu told the Fiji Sun that her ministry had requested more funding than it received in the current financial year, when Fisheries was allocated $24.9 million and Forestry $25.6 million.

She said the additional funding would support new programmes and the continuation of existing initiatives entering their next phase.

“There are new programmes that we have included, and also some other programmes of the ministry. We have completed the first phase in this financial year and are hoping to continue to the next phase, which will require more funds,” she said.

However, Ms Bainivalu said the ministry had been advised to reduce costs because of Fiji’s current economic challenges, and the Ministry of Finance had not yet confirmed whether the increased submission would be approved.

“We are still waiting for Finance to get back to us on what programmes they are going to reduce or cut from our submission,” she said.

Mahogany Bill

Ms Bainivalu identified the implementation of the Mahogany Bill 2025 as one of the ministry's key priorities.

The legislation, passed by Parliament earlier this year, overhauls the governance of Fiji's mahogany industry and aims to give landowners a greater say in how profits are managed and distributed.

"For any legislation that has been enacted, we need to carry out the implementation plan and awareness for our stakeholders," Ms Bainivalu said.

She said the ministry had identified three key priorities it hoped would receive funding under the new budget.

The 2026-2027 National Budget will be announced on June 26.