Udu fishers struggle amid licence delays

Fishermen from the remote Udu Peninsula in Cakaudrove say livelihoods across six villages have been disrupted due to delays in the issuance of fishing licences.

Villiame Misianini of Yasawa Village in the district of Tawake said villagers who rely on bech-de-mer and other marine resources have been unable to continue operations.

“All our fishing activities and bech-de-mer sales are on hold because licences have not been issued,” Mr Misianini said.

He explained that in previous years, fisheries officers would visit villages to assist with licence applications, an arrangement agreed upon during Bose ni Tikina meetings to reduce travel costs and the burden of long distances to town.

“Considering transportation costs, officers were meant to come to us, but this year they have not, and we are still waiting,” he added.

The delays have left villagers uncertain whether the hold-up lies with village leaders or government authorities.

The impact is being felt across Wainigadru, Tawake, Wainika, Vatu, Nagasauva, and Yasawa.

Mr Misianini also noted that delays in the construction of a previously approved ice plant have compounded the community’s challenges.

“We don’t know why the ice plant is being delayed. It was approved by the previous government,” he said.

Requests for comment sent to the Ministry of Fisheries went unanswered at the time of publication.