The Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Laurent Thomas, today visited the Natawarau fishing community in Ba, Fiji to present fishing families with Fish Aggregating Devices (known as FADs) used to enhance nearshore fisheries. The FAD materials were presented to the Natawarau Fisherman Association (NFA) and they visited a community benefiting from FAD deployment sites.

The sites are maintained in partnership with the FAO-led “Enhancing livelihoods and food security through fisheries with nearshore fish aggregating devices in the Pacific Ocean (FishFAD)” project. During his visit to the communities, DDG Thomas emphasized FAO's commitment to supporting sustainable fishing practices and the development of the fishing industry in Fiji. He also commended the hard work and dedication of the Ministry of Fisheries and that of the community fishers for their commitment to the success of this project. “Your efforts have not only contributed to the achievement of food security and livelihood enhancement in your community, but have also played an important role in the overall success of the FishFAD projects across the Pacific," Thomas said.

In response, the Ministry of Fisheries expressed its support for FAO in the development of sustainable fishing practices in Fiji. “We are grateful for the support of FAO in the development of sustainable fishing practices in Fiji. The handover of FAD fishing materials to the Natawarau Fisherman Association will go a long way in supporting the livelihoods of local fishermen and contribute to the sustainable management of our fisheries resources,” a spokesperson said.

The FishFAD project represents a partnership with countries in the Pacific, each at a different stage of development in their application of nearshore fish aggregating device (FAD) fisheries. Over a three-year period, the project has been improving the fisheries management of nearshore resources and respond to emerging gaps in marine resources.

Implemented by FAO and funded by the Government of Japan, the project works with seven participating Pacific Island countries, namely Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Japanese institutions have also played a key role in developing the fisheries sector in the Pacific. In addition, the project makes use of South-South cooperation arrangements, as some of the project’s partner countries can contribute knowledge sharing and technical assistance on topics that include the design and deployment of nearshore FADs. As one example, in Fiji, the introduction of nearshore fish aggregating devices (FADs) has resulted in increased catch and income for fishers, while also promoting sustainable fishing practices that conserve the marine ecosystem. In addition, through the project, FAO has strengthened the capacities of fisher organizations in Fiji, which are crucial mechanisms for fishers to express their concerns and enhance their fishing efforts and incomes.