Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting 19
The 19th Regular Session of the Commision for the Conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC19) in Da Nang - Vietnam, November 28, 2022.
"FIRST HANDOVER OF DONATED GOODS TO THE MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AS PART OF THE NON PROJECT GRANT ASSISTANCE FROM JAPAN"
The Ministry of Fisheries hosted an official handover ceremony on Monday, December 19, 2022 at the Ministry’s office in Sopu, to mark the first transfer of donated goods and equipment from the Government of Japan to the Ministry of Fisheries as part of a Non-Project Grant Assistance from Japan’s Economic Social Development Programme. This aid is worth $1.3 million U.S Dollars and was formalized on May 27, 2022 by the governments of Tonga and Japan, to assist in the development of the Fisheries Sector and to support the relief from the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcano in early January this year.
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ARTISANAL FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE
The Ministry of Fisheries together with the Vava‘u Environmental Protection Association NGO, held a day of celebration and awareness program for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The year 2022 has been declared as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the leading agency, working in partnership with Pacific Island countries and regional organizations.
Expand sea cucumber farming to SMA Communities
Sea cucumber farming at Manuka SMA area .
Squid Fishery
SQUID FISHERY HAD BEEN TRIALED IN TONGA SINCE 2018. THERE WAS LESS INTEREST IN THIS FISHERY BY FISHERMEN DUE TO VARIOUS REASONS. DESPITE THAT, THE MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND THE NIWA PROJECT COOPERATE IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCES TO THE DEEP WATER SNAPPER VESSELS TO FACILITATE FISHING AND HARVEST OF SQUIDS.
FISHER ASAELI NEHOA, SKIPPER AND OWNER OF FV AMAILE, CAUGHT GIANT SQUID - DIAMONDBACK AND NEON CATCH ON SATURDAY JUNE 4TH, 2022.
The Ministry of Fisheries is working together with Vast Ocean Aquaculture Co. Ltd to develop the deep sea farming program for young sea cucumbers. The purpose of this program is to develop a substantial sea cucumber export in the near future.