Fiji must now make the right choices knowingFiji must now make the right choices knowing that little can be accomplished if the fisheries resources that feed our people and fuel their economies are lost, says 2017 Speaker’s Debate panellist Dr Joeli Veitayaki.
Dr Veitayaki was addressing members of the pubic on the 2017 Speaker’s Debate topic, “How can Fiji’s fishing industry be protected to ensure long-term sustainability” at the Grand Pacific Hotel last night.
“Government agencies need to work closely with each other as well as with NGOs, civil society, customary owners and international development agencies to ensure the optimum benefit accrue to the people who in turn must uphold the health and integrity of their fisheries resources,” Dr Veitayaki said.
He said firstly Fiji must formulate an integrated sustainable fisheries development framework that addresses the known threats and hinderances that weaken fisheries resource management because these foster over-exploitation.
“Fiji needs to refocus on the formulation of a national policy to reflect the principals of what was decided at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 known as the Pacific Islands Regional Oceans Policy.”
He said he liked the vision of the Pacific Islands Regional Oceans Policy which was, “A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihood and aspirations of the Pacific Island communities”.
“I believe that this would provide the principal approach to responsible ocean governance that we need in Fiji,” he said.
Dr Veitayaki is an associate professor at the School of Marine Studies at the USP. He has worked closely with researchers and communities to promote the management of marine resources and articulate sustainable development.
When Speaker to Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni introduced Dr Veitayaki, she said he was always of the view that a healthy natural environment was critical to combatting global challenges like climate change and local challenges like overfishing and environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, Dr Luveni in opening the debate and introducing the panellists said the debate was about how to better engage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
She was referring in particular to SDG 14 on Life Below Water which went along with the debate topic of ‘How can Fiji’s fishing industry be protected to ensure long-term sustainability’.
The panellists included Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau, Opposition MP Ro Kinivilaiame Kiliraki, project manager for NZ Aid Program at WWF-South Pacific Frances Areki, Dr Veitayaki and research fellow at USP’s Institute of Marine Resources Cherie Morris.
More than 300 people from all walks of life including VIPs and dignitaries attended the debate. that little can be accomplished if the fisheries resources that feed our people and fuel their economies are lost, says 2017 Speaker’s Debate panellist Dr Joeli Veitayaki.
Dr Veitayaki was addressing members of the pubic on the 2017 Speaker’s Debate topic, “How can Fiji’s fishing industry be protected to ensure long-term sustainability” at the Grand Pacific Hotel last night.
“Government agencies need to work closely with each other as well as with NGOs, civil society, customary owners and international development agencies to ensure the optimum benefit accrue to the people who in turn must uphold the health and integrity of their fisheries resources,” Dr Veitayaki said.
He said firstly Fiji must formulate an integrated sustainable fisheries development framework that addresses the known threats and hinderances that weaken fisheries resource management because these foster over-exploitation.
“Fiji needs to refocus on the formulation of a national policy to reflect the principals of what was decided at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 known as the Pacific Islands Regional Oceans Policy.”
He said he liked the vision of the Pacific Islands Regional Oceans Policy which was, “A healthy ocean that sustains the livelihood and aspirations of the Pacific Island communities”.
“I believe that this would provide the principal approach to responsible ocean governance that we need in Fiji,” he said.
Dr Veitayaki is an associate professor at the School of Marine Studies at the USP. He has worked closely with researchers and communities to promote the management of marine resources and articulate sustainable development.
When Speaker to Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni introduced Dr Veitayaki, she said he was always of the view that a healthy natural environment was critical to combatting global challenges like climate change and local challenges like overfishing and environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, Dr Luveni in opening the debate and introducing the panellists said the debate was about how to better engage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
She was referring in particular to SDG 14 on Life Below Water which went along with the debate topic of ‘How can Fiji’s fishing industry be protected to ensure long-term sustainability’.
The panellists included Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau, Opposition MP Ro Kinivilaiame Kiliraki, project manager for NZ Aid Program at WWF-South Pacific Frances Areki, Dr Veitayaki and research fellow at USP’s Institute of Marine Resources Cherie Morris.
More than 300 people from all walks of life including VIPs and dignitaries attended the debate.
2014, Fiji Times Limited