Untapped marine resources on Rotuma are now being utilised with new initiatives being introduced by the Fisheries Department of Fiji, boosting the fisheries sector on the island.
This was revealed by Rotuma District Officer Niumaia Masere, who said those initiatives were generating income for the people.
The new initiatives have been made possible with the recently-opened ice plant on the island allowing the people to sell fish and other marine products.
“Recently, the Fisheries Department introduced new initiatives on the island, which are mostly welcomed by the people,” Mr Masere said.
“This has enabled them to use the many untapped resources on the island, another source of income for the people.”
He said with the ice plant, it had allowed for the control of the quality of the marine resources.
Mr Masere said the Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Osea Naiqamu, also visited the island last week to check on the developments on the island.
Some of the resources were shipped across on MV Bai Ni Takali on his return.
Mr Masere said $0.6 million had also been allocated in the 2016-2017 National Budget for the completion of the fisheries office on the island.
Mr Naiqamu has also assured that a forestry officer will be posted to the island next year.
2014, Fiji Times Limited