Police investigate alleged theft of fish stock at Nadi marine park

Police are investigating the alleged theft of about one tonne of fish from a marine theme park on Fantasy Island at Wailoaloa in Nadi.

Managing director Abbas Ali said the theft was believed to have occurred between December 21 and 30 last year while he was overseas.

“Approximately one tonne of fish worth about $25,000 was stolen from a one-acre man-made tidal lake at the marine park,” Mr Ali said.

“The theft was discovered on January 1 when I returned from overseas and noticed a significant reduction in fish numbers during routine feeding.”

The species affected include mullet (kanace), milkfish (yawa), mangrove jack (damu), trevally (saqa), puffer fish (sumusumu), grouper (kawakawa), spangled emperor (kawago), surgeonfish (balagi), breadfish (nuqa), Russell’s snapper (baba), reef trout, and barracuda (ogo).

The fish are part of an adventure fishing and breeding programme at the soon-to-open marine theme park, which Mr Ali said would be the first of its kind in Fiji.

He said the park was designed for recreation, education, conservation, and community engagement, combining activities such as game fishing and fish feeding with lessons on marine ecosystem preservation.

Current facilities include breeding pools for seawater and freshwater fish, a goldfish and Japanese koi pool, a one-acre tidal lake, a turtle pool, and an indoor aquarium with 21 fish tanks.

Plans also include shark, prawn, and crab breeding pools.

A building is under construction, estimated to cost $5 million, will house a gift shop, offices, lounge area, café, photo studio, bar and restaurant.

Mr Ali said the park focuses on responsible marine life care, with habitats designed to mirror natural ecosystems.

“Our fish are fed daily, and the feeding costs exceed $3,000 a month.”

He said the park was closed during the Christmas break and that the fish, which are fed daily in the afternoons, had become accustomed to regular feeding routines, making them vulnerable to being trapped and caught.

Some species, including damu and saqa, had grown to weigh up to five to ten kilograms.

“Security cameras are installed, but due to the large size of the park, some areas remain unmonitored, creating blind spots.”

“The possibility of staff involvement cannot be ruled out,” Mr Ali said.

He said the theft had resulted in an estimated $25,000 loss, disrupted breeding programmes, and delayed the park’s planned opening by December 2026.

"We were very excited about the official opening of the park to the general public to experience adventure fishing, which is the main feature of the theme park, but with the loss of almost two-thirds of the fish stock in the lake, this will not be possible now."

A report has been lodged at the Nadi Police Station, and the company is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wame Bautolu said, "Report with the Nadi Police Station, investigation is underway."