Outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, Mark Ramsden has been acknowledged for his efforts in helping Fiji’s fishing industry in particular the deployment of the Naval ship HMNZ HAWEA for monitoring, control and surveillance.
A traditional ceremony was held at the Ministry of Fisheries today to farewell Ramsden.
Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau says it was embarrassing to see the number of reports that came through HMNZ HAWEA in relation to infringements at sea.
He says HMNZ HAWEA has created public awareness and also initiated the Ministry of Fisheries to ask government for the establishment of the coastal fisheries division which will be able to do monitoring work.
Ramsden says HMNZ HAWEA’s deployment to Fiji has been hugely successful and is a great example of cooperation between Fiji and New Zealand.
He says New Zealanders are again following Fiji as Fiji now has a stand-alone Ministry of Fisheries adding it seems the new
New Zealand government is going to do the same and have a new standalone Ministry of Fisheries.
