The Coastal Fisheries section held a meeting with the Funafuti Fisherman Association on the 9th February 2017 Thursday in the Funafuti Lagoon Hotel conference room. The meeting was commenced at 9;15 am led by the Principal Fisheries Officer of the Coastal division.
The meeting was about sharing information with the Funafuti Fisherman Association actually about their by catches from 2013 to 2016 on the artisanal data collection, creel survey results from mid-2015 to 2016, information on Ciguatera Fish Poisoning & fish exports and a little reminder from the acting Principal officer of the Operation and Development section on sea safety, smoke fish training that to be started next week on Friday the 17th of February, 2017. The Operation & Development officer also inform the serious news to fisherman’s participating in the meeting that they will have the donation fund from the government on outboard motors spare parts which $6000 AUD.
Fishermen also came up with some issues, on the effect of Fisheries department FADs that were deployed, cause too hard to see and find fish with these FADs, oil spill that is frequently falling out lately in the capital Funafuti, the widespread growing of the new seaweed in the lagoon and the outer reef, and the demanding for grab bags. Most of the fishermen did not receive their share due to not enough of grab bags. The meeting ends up with resolutions that help gratify each and everyone participating and sharing information in the meeting.
