Don’t catch undersize fish, fishers reminded

Fish vendors in Labasa are concerned about undersized fish being sold at the market.

This concern was raised during the 4FJ Fish Smart Fisher Forum held at Macuata House in Labasa last Thursday.

cChange Pacific Fiji Country Director, Mafa Wilson Qiolele, who co-led the forum with the Ministry of Fisheries, said the 4FJ campaign continues to raise awareness about legal fish sizes across the country.

“The fact that fish vendors are raising undersize fish as an issue of concern shows us the message is getting out there,” Ms Qiolele said.

“But the problem is, the smaller sizes are often an indicator of overfishing. So, we need to do more to help our fishers understand how to get bigger, better catches."

She explained the 4FJ Fish Smart Fisher Forums were designed to create space for those discussions between commercial fishers and the Ministry of Fisheries.

The campaign is also asking fish vendors to share the need to better manage our fisheries to everyone who brings fish to sell at the market.

“To revive Fiji's fishing grounds, it will take all of us working together and the first step is starting talanoa sessions with our families, friends and communities,” Ms Qiolele said.

The campaign has created simple, illustrated booklets to help communities talk through the changes in catches, and ways to improve those catches through local rules, what is called Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM).

The goal is that everyone can make better decisions on how to fish sustainably.

Fish vendor, Losavati Ceacea was among the vendors supportive of sharing the messages.

She also requested that the ministry advise fishermen and divers not to throw undersized fish over the sea wall before getting off to sell in Labasa Town, a practice she said is occurring as awareness of the rules is raised.

“Fishermen and divers should let the small fish live in the sea,” Ms Ceacea said.

“It's not good to kill them in a cruel way because God is watching and you won’t grow rich.”