Immediate quarantine measures have been put in place for the Yasawa and Mamanuca islands after the invasive Tongan fruit fly known as bactrocera facialis were detected there.
The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji says the emergency controls aim to prevent the pest from spreading to other parts of Fiji and will remain in effect until further notice.
They say restrictions in place include no fresh fruits or fruiting vegetables being allowed to leave the Yasawa or Mamanuca islands without BAF approval with some banned produce like mango, guava, papaya, breadfruit, citrus, tomato, chilli, eggplant, capsicum, cucumber, and starfruit.
This applies to both home-grown and market-purchased items.
BAF says checkpoints will be set up at jetties and onboard vessels.
They warn that anyone breaching these controls will face penalties under the Biosecurity Act 2008.
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