Tuna sector expansion

THE current regulatory framework and legislation do not provide room to expand and allow capital injections into the non-tuna sector, says National Fisheries Authority (NFA) managing director Justin Ilakini.
“Broadening the fisheries sector to one that does not depend on tuna is a task that comes with big challenges,” Ilakini said.
He said that many initiatives had been undertaken to broaden the non-tuna sector, but not much success had been reported.
NFA has undergone organisational transformation in the past 15 months.
The efforts align with sectoral reform initiatives to ensure that the fisheries and marine resource sector’s target of a 70 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) contribution by 2030 is achieved.
Ilakini said NFA would ensure the expansion of the productive capacity of the non-tuna sector through changes.
“There are two things that cover everything structural reforms and legislative changes,” he said.
“We are modernising the fisheries management plan.”
He added that because of the lack of capital and incapability of people to tap into those sectors, growth of the sector is limited.
Ilakini said we must change and modernise “colonial” management plans which were more than 30 years old.
“Within our laws and legislations, we will open up the coastal fisheries, the inland fisheries, and the aquaculture fisheries,” he said.
“Foreign direct investments and development partners will be welcomed to work with our people to hit the productive capabilities of coastal fisheries and all the non-tuna sectors in the community.”
Ilakini assured that these changes do not mean that foreign direct investors or foreign companies will be allowed to come and dominate these fisheries.
“They will work in partnership with the provinces and districts,” he said.