More jobs and working hours are expected to be created as a 2011 National Budget initiative was implemented today which would encourage more on-shore fish processing rather than the trans-shipment of the catch to another country.
Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed that as announced in the budget, there will be a $350 levy per tonne of fish trans-shipped from Fiji.
He said this will encourage the fishing vessel owners to sell fish to the local processing companies rather than selling it off-shore through the middlemen.
Fiji Fish Marketing Group’s Graeme Southwick said this is expected to create an additional 50 to 60 jobs at Fiji Fish, and there will more jobs created at the local processing companies.
The industry estimates that about 30% of the total catch in Fiji is being directly trans-shipped at the moment.
They now hope this is reduced and more on-shore processing takes place which will also result in Fiji’s fish exports.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
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On-shore fish processing to create more jobs
