An Overview of Fiji Fisheries
Jokim Kitolelei*1
Takashi Torii1
VinaBideshi2
Abstract
This paper presents an overview of fisheries in Fiji by analyzing the importance of the sector to its people andthe economy of Fiji. Fisheries are one of the main sources of livelihood for most Pacific Island countries. Smallisland states are indeed fully dependent on their fisheries resources for survival. In this paper the analysis is basedon offshore and inshore fisheries as well as considering aquaculture production. The fisheries sector contributes
to the economy through exports, employment, revenue and also provides important recreational and social
benefits. There has been a slow increase in fishery production over the years in Fiji while utilization andmanagement present new challenges for the future.
Key words: Fiji fisheries, offshore fisheries, inshore fisheries, aquaculture, and subsistence fisheries
1. Introduction
Fiji is composed of three hundred and thirty three islands with an economic exclusive zone of 18,376 km2. The
fisheries sector contributes revenue, employment, food and source of livelihood for many people in Fiji. It
contributes 3 % to the economy GDP and employs over 9,100 people and is classified as the third largest primarysector7). It is a vital primary sector and is very important to many people as it generates employment
opportunities, supplements diet and is closely linked to the tourism industry. There are many small outer islands
such as the Lau group, Lomaiviti group and Yasawa group that heavily rely on fisheries resources for food andincome. The Fisheries Department is the management authority responsible for management and administrationof all aspects of fisheries in Fiji. This paper discusses the role of the fisheries department in fisheries managementand development and provides an overview of the various categories of fisheries: offshore fisheries, inshore
fisheries and aquaculture fisheries.

Source: SPC (2009)

Fig 1: A map of Fiji Islands*

Corresponding author, E-mail: jokim.kitolelei@gmail.com
Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Shimoarata 4-50-20, Kagoshima City, Japan
2
Faculty of Marine Studies, the University of the South Pacific, Private mail bag Laucala Suva
11

2. The Fisheries Department
The Fisheries Department is the lead agency responsible for the management of the country’s marine resources.
Its vision is “to have fisheries become and continue as one of the leading sectors in Fiji’s socio-economic
development and generate economic growth and ensure that resources owners are equitably remunerated”3).
The Department has an advisory role to the customary rights’ holders and institutes legislative and enforcement
measures to ensure commercial viability. It also approves licenses for fishing and administers permits to otherfishermen. The economic exclusive zones and the territorial sea are a responsibility of the Department formonitoring, evaluation and proper utilization of tuna resources.
Fiji fisheries can be analyzed into different categories as shown in Table 1. Production is further divided into
two major groups, which are offshore and inshore fisheries. The economic role of the sector can be seen in termsof its contribution to GDP, government revenue, exports, fish supply, food security and employment.
Employment generated by the Fisheries Sector is estimated to contribute 3.8 % to the overall employment inFiji (Tables 2 shows estimated employment in the various fisheries related activities).
Table 1. Fisheries Production in Fiji for 2007
Offshore

CoastalCoastalOffshore

Commercial

Subsistence

Locally-Based

9,500 t17,400 t

13,744 t

492 t

4,146 t33,750,000

33,812,500

29,293,750

527,500

4,287,500

ForeignFreshwater

Based

Aquaculture
Tonnes

Pieces247

48,100Volume ofProduction (metrictonnes/pieces)
Value ofProduction (USD)

Source: Gillett (2009)5)

Table 2. Estimate of Fisheries Employment
Category

People employed

Offshore fishery

510

Inshore artisanal

2 137

Subsistence

3 000

Ornamental aquarium

650

Aquaculture

550

Game and Charter fishing60

Tuna Cannery

800

Other fish processors

639

Input suppliers

185

Fish Markets

340

Department of Fisheries

243

Slipways/ports

30

Total

9,1441)

Source: ADB (2005)

2

1,749,375

Table 3 shows the number of local people employed in the Tuna industry in the offshore fisheries on vessels orprocessing plants. This accounts for the highest employment numbers in the fisheries sector.
A slow increase in exports is seen over the years, contributed largely by exports of tuna rather than othermarine species (Table 4). This increase in catch of tuna has been mostly to supply the sashimi market in Japan7).
Fish and fisheries products in 2007 were estimated to have contributed to 9.1% of all exports. Besides, exports
and employment, it is also an important source of food where fish protein consumption is high in comparison tothe world average. Fisheries are also an important source of protein because it is the most reliable in times ofnatural disasters compared to other sources of protein that are imported.
Table 3. Employment in Fiji Tuna Industry
Year

2002

2006

2008

Local Jobs on Vessels

893

330

150

Local Jobs in Shore Facilities

1,496

2,200

1,250

Total

2,389

2,5301,4005)

Source: Gillet, R. (2008) .
Table 4. Fishery Export of Fiji, 2004-2007
YearValue of Fishery Exports

Value all Fiji Exports

Fishery Export as % of(USD millions)(USD millions)

Total Export

2004

49.1

696.2

7.1%

2005

50.9

705.5

7.2%

2006

56.9

694.2

8.2%

63.3

518.0

12.2%

20078)

Source: Reserve Bank, Fiji .
3. Offshore Fisheries Resources:
The Offshore fishery is known to be the main source of revenue for the fishery industry. The main commercial
target species are albacore (Thunnus alalunga), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacores)
and big eye (Thunnus obesus) (Table 5). There are also other species caught as by-catch in Fiji waters such as
sailfish, mahimahi, opah, sharks, dolphin fish, wahoo and barracuda. The Offshore industry targets markets inJapan, USA, China, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union.
Table 5. Total Fish Catch (metric tonnes) by the Locally-Based Offshore Fleet in FijiYear

Albacore

BigeyeYellowfin

Total Tuna

Bycatch

2003

6,881

889

2,482

10,252

2,062

2004

11,290

1,254

4,164

16,708

5,579

2005

8,901

423

1,989

11,313

4,182

2006

11,802771

2,231

14,804

5,903

2007

9,395

839

2,852

13,0862,9954)

Source: Ministry of Fisheries

Albacore is the main target species of tuna followed by yellow fin and bigeye. Longline fishing gear is themain method for catching tuna and the number of days at sea is usually within fifteen days. The main landing site3for offshore fisheries is in the capital of Fiji, Suva. There is also a cannery in Levuka, which is located in theisland of Ovalau. The vessels are either foreign owned distant water vessels, locally based foreign vessels orlocally owned vessels that operate longline fishing.
4. Inshore Fisheries Industry
The Inshore fisheries are vital to the economy of Fiji as it is also a source of income for many local
communities (Figure 2). Domestic fish catch landings and invertebrates recorded in 2005 were 5,994 tonnes
and were estimated to have a value of FJ$27 million. Fin fish is mostly supplied to the local markets while
products such as ornamental aquarium products and sea cucumber are exported to overseas markets. Targeted
species include Lethrinidae, Serranidae, Carangidae, Lutjanidae, Mugilidae, Scrombidae, Scaridae andSphyraenidae . There are also invertebrates that are fished intensively, such as sea cucumbers, crabs, bivalvesmollusks, prawns, lobsters and octopus. These are mainly collected by women and children.
The fisheries products are sold in main urban centers such as Suva, Lautoka and Labasa. These are sold to the
local markets, shops, tourists and other non-municipal markets. Sea Cucumber, trochus, seashells and live-reeffish are exported to the Asian markets. Ornamental aquarium fish and trochus shells are exported to the USA.
Another category of fishery that exists is the informal village based subsistence fishery, which is largely
carried out by women and children. The value of this fishery is generally under-estimated because of its informal
nature but this fishery contributes to the rural food and nutritional security. Traditional fisheries exist in fishingvillages in subsistence fisheries, and new innovations and fishing gears have resulted in the faster depletion ofvaluable resources.
The artisanal fishery is compromised of 2,250 fishermen with 114 boats registered during while there were1,372 licenses issued to fishermen.

Seaweed2%

Echinoderms
2%

Other
Invertebrates
1%

Crustaceans
6%
Reef Fish
37%

Molluscs
26%

Estuary &River Fish
13%

Other Pelagic
Fish
13%
Source: Ministry of Fisheries3)

Fig. 2 Percentage distribution of catch landings of inshore species

4Fishing License

5000

Registered Fishing Boats
Number of Fishers

4500
4000
3500
Number

3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

0Yeat

Source: Ministry of Fisheries3)
Fig. 3. Fishing effort since 1992
5. Subsistence FisheriesSubsistence fisheries are common in the outer islands and rural Fiji. There are more than 800 villages in Fiji,
which have customary fishing rights known as the “iqoliqoli”. The Department of fisheries estimated that around19,000 tonnes of fish and fisheries products were consumed in 2004 under this category. It is seen that thedepartment conducts little monitoring and presents little data on the amount of consumption.
6. Aquaculture
The primary policy of aquaculture in Fiji is to ensure sustainable development and management of aquaculture
resources. Aquaculture in Fiji has developed through the years with many species cultured in marine,brakishwater and freshwater. The cultured species include tilapia, carps, freshwater prawns, saltwater shrimp,seaweed, clams, giant clams, pearl oysters, mud crabs, corals, and turtles. In the fresh water aquaculture, threemain species are cultured: tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus sp.), freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium sp.) and carps(silver, grass and bighead). There is also the breeding of ornamental fish such as goldfish and carp. In thebrackish-water aquaculture the main target is the shrimp Peneaus monodon and production of crabs also exists.
Table 6.Aquaculture Production, 2003
Category

Amount (kilogram /pieces)

Value (FJD)

Brackishwater shrimp

850 kg25,380Tilapia

393,000 kg

1,572,000

Carps

160 kg626

Prawns6,000 kg

108,000

Ornamental Carps

17,000pcs

68,000Gold Fish

10,420pcs

41,680Black Pearls

1,000 pcs

50,000

Seaweed

24,000 kg

24,000424 mt /28,420 pcs

F$1,889,686

Total2)

Source: Department of Fisheries

57. Fisheries Management
7.1 Offshore Fisheries Management
The management of the Offshore fisheries is based under the Fisheries Act, Marine Space Act and the Tuna
Development and Management guidelines. The provision of licenses is one of the main management strategies
and a form of revenue for the fisheries department. Table 7 shows the Offshore Fisheries Fleet Structure, and a
total of 78 licenses were issued for domestic fleets and 2 were issued under the Fiji/ Japan Bilateral Agreement
Fleet.
Table 7. Offshore Fisheries Fleet Structure, 2005
Domestic Fleet

FJ/JP Bilateral Agreement Fleet

Tuna Long

Hand

Pole andLineline(Snapper)

Line

72

51TOTAL

Pole andPurse Seine

TOTAL12Line78

1

Source: Ministry of Fisheries3)
7.2 Inshore Fisheries Management
In the Inshore fishery, there is a permit system in which approval is sought from the customary right owners
before applying for a license by the Fisheries Department. The management of such regulations and granting oflicenses are not well documented and enforcement may not be so effective. This may be due to the dual rights
system where communities and the Fisheries Department may lack communication. The department has anadvisory role to the 410 customary areas resource users. Under the Fisheries Act, the Minister of Fisheries andForestry can make decisions on any input or output controls. The management practices are through the issuingof license, restrictions on exports, usage of proper fishing gears, banning of extracting certain species, restrictions
on destructive fishing and area restrictions. There are no clear objectives on the management of aquaculture as
the government is primarily focusing on developing and initiating production for revenue and livelihoods in therural communities.
8.Fisheries Development
The Fisheries Department’s desire to secure more benefits from exploiting the resources for the economy andfor the people’s livelihoods. There are many opportunities and also constrains in fisheries in exploiting resources,accessibility, marketing, competitions, development of aquaculture and fisheries management. There areopportunities such as the exploitation of the offshore fisheries, expansion of the ornamental aquarium animal
trade, better linkages with tourist industry and value adding. The cooperation between the private sectors and thegovernment is important for effective operation. There is also foreign aid received from the results of bilateralrelations with Japan, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. There is also muchcollaborative research conducted on fisheries and education about fisheries, which is undertaken in Universities
and Institutions.
9.Future Challenges
There are future challenges such as tuna fishery under pressure for management by WCPFC (Western andCentral Pacific Fisheries Commission). The consolidation of PNA (Parties to the Nauru Agreement) means lesstuna for the Southern region under longline fishing gear. Other challenges are the need to formalize the6customary fishing rights or “qoliqoli”, but the tourism sector is reluctant because of fear of huge investments.
Other important problems could be the overexploitation of resources, effect of climate changes on the resources
with the variability in sea levels, temperature, natural disasters and habitat destruction. This future challenges
have to be taken into consideration and the management of resources in Fiji fisheries are important.
Acknowledgments
This report has been compiled from reports and research conducted by Fiji Fisheries Department, AsianDevelopment Bank, Forum Fisheries Agency. The authors
improvements

made to the original manuscript bywould like to thank the comments andProfessor

Miguel Vazquez Archdale, Fishing

Engineering, Faculty of fisheries, Kagoshima University.
Reference
1) Asian Development Bank (ADB). 2005. Republic of the Fiji Islands: Fisheries Sector Review. ADB, Manila.
95 pages.
2) Fisheries Department (Fiji). 2001-2004. Annual Report of the Fisheries Department, Suva.
3) Fisheries Department (Fiji). 2005. Annual Report of the Fisheries Department. Suva.
4) Fisheries Department (Fiji). 2008. 2007 Annual Report of the Fisheries Department. Suva.
5) Gillet, R. 2009.The contribution of Fisheries to the Economies of Pacific Island Countries and territories.
Pacific Studies Series, Asian Development Bank, World Bank.
6) Gillet, R. (2008). A study of Tuna Industry Development Aspirations of FFA Member Countries. ForumFisheries Agency. Honiara, 70 pages.
7) Ministry of Finance and National Planning, 2006. Strategic Development Plan 2007-2011, Star PrinteryLimited, Suva.
8) Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF). 2008. Quarterly Review June 2008. RBF, Suva.

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