Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau says a few emerging issues are affecting us which includes increasing population and urbanization that will lead to increasing demand for food that could result in over-fishing.
Koroilavesau says as we mark World Fisheries Day, threats of climate change could accelerate the loss of targeted fish stocks and also threaten species diversity.
He says unplanned infrastructure development which could cause coastal pollution and land reclamation contributes to the loss of fish habitats.
Koroilavesau adds we all have a critical mandate to ensure that our fisheries resources are maintained at sustainable levels for our future generations.
He says World Fisheries Day serves to remind us again that we must continue to align our goals and ambitions to sustaining, managing and protecting our fisheries for the sustainability of our communities.
The Minister says fisheries scientists in the world have revealed the true status of our ocean and associated fisheries resources, and the verdict is persisting global over-fishing trends and continuous decline in natural resource status and productivity.
He says all this negative forecast is being exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
Koroilavesau says it is true that we have reached the tipping point, and we must act now to reverse this grave trend.
Meanwhile, the Ministry joined forces with the Women in Maritime Fiji in a clean-up campaign along Lami’s industrial foreshore, and in Lautoka, to create awareness on the need to sustainably manage our fisheries and oceans.
