The Ministry of Fisheries is not asking or charging any fees for fishermen or members of the public that are applying for licences in customary fishing areas.
This was highlighted by the Minister of Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau in Parliament today when asked by SODELPA MP Mosese Bulitavu, on why fishermen applying for fishing licences are being asked to agree to pay access fees for qoliqoli on an undetermined figure that will be finalized later by the Permanent Secretary for Fisheries.
Koroilavesau had asked for this question to be withdrawn, as the current work done by the Ministry is only to review the current licence fee.
He says that the review of the coastal licences fees will allow the Ministry to legislate the portion of table fees that will go directly to the customary fishing rights owners for the harvest of marine resources within their area of customary fishing rights.
Koroilavesau says this work was approved last year and is currently at its consultative stages.
He says the consultation stage involved officials conducting research on the profit margin for fishermen.
The Minister says that there are 4 different tiers of licensing that the Ministry of Fisheries is looking to finalize.
