Project News

1. Progress of SDG14 Project so far

JICA SDG14 Project provided Capacity Enhancement Training for Ministry of Fisheries (MoF) in Fiji with University of South Pacific (USP). The training focuses on three (3) main subject; i) Fisheries management and Conservation (Coastal & Offshore), ii) Aquaculture (Mud Crab fattening & Tilapia hatchery production) and iii) Post harvest and fish processing. The first phase of the training was from February to March, 2022. Upon completion of the first phase of training, the project has shifted to phase 2 and we are supporting their "Small-Scale Projects" which were proposed and developed during the phase 1 training. For these projects, on-site trainings will be delivered starting from October this year.

In addition, we project will move on to its third phase in April 2023 and expand the project to other Pacific Islands countries mainly in Vanuatu and Palau. JICA Palau has begun two projects titled "Forming Good Practices of Islands-Type Blue Economy in Palau" and "Project for Enhancement of Integrated Management of Coastal Ecosystem in Palau for Strengthening their Resilience to Climate Change" last year. Furthermore, JICA is implementing the "Grace of the Sea Project Phase 3 (GOS III)" in Vanuatu. In the Phase 3, JICA SDG14 Project team will offer on-site training in Fiji, Vanuatu and Palau, sharing experience and knowledge of "Good Practices" and peer learning, which is called "South-South Cooperation". Accordingly, JICA experts Mr. Minoru Tamura and Mr. Shota Mizuno visited Vanuatu to seek the possibility having the training for South-South Cooperation.

2. Why Vanuatu?

JICA is implementing the "Grace of the Sea Project Phase 3 (GOS III) "(2017 to 2022) in Vanuatu. As the project title suggests, this project follows its predecessor Phase 1 (2006-2009) and Phase 2 (2011-2014). Through whole phases, we have tried to disseminate coastal fisheries resource management in collaboration with the Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD) and the coastal communities. JICA GOS III team is providing technical cooperation to build a system for Community-based Coastal Resource Management (CB-CRM) in Vanuatu, combining i) to set traditional marine protected area (TABU area) with community members, ii) to develop community hatcheries of green snail, giant clam, etc. and iii) to improve their alternative livelihood such as supporting Shellfish handicrafts. The GOS III team is trying to introduce the CB-CRM approach in the Pacific region. Therefore, the JICA SDG14 Project team regards this CB-CRM of Vanuatu as their "Good Practices" and have chosen Vanuatu as a base of the training.

3. What is the role for MoF in Fiji?

In contrast, Fijian MoF and Fisheries stakeholders also have a lot of things to teach for VFD. At first, Tilapia production in Naduruloulou Fisheries Research Station is well managed and motivated and JICA SDG14 project, USP and SPC are supporting them toward the efficient Tilapia hatchery production. We strongly believe that visiting NRC can be a great learning experience for other Pacific Countries. In addition, quality management and value addition including the cold chain system are one of the great issues which Vanuatu Fisheries stakeholders are facing. JICA SDG14 Project team delivered the above-mentioned "Post-harvesting and Fish Processing training" to MoF in Fiji with Marine Studies of USP which has the fish processing facility and lecturers. Accordingly, Fijian Fisheries officers will be able to provide advice and share their Good Practices with the USP team for other Pacific Countries.

4. About Our Vanuatu Trip (29/Aug. - 03/Sep., 2022)

During our Vanuatu trip (29th August to 3rd September 2022), the SDG14 project team visited GOS III project site in Mangaliliu and had a discussion with community members to get a better insight of the project. Even though they were facing the difficulty to implement CB-CRM due to COVID-19 situation and damage of cyclone, we assure that they are trying to make progress with their CB-CRM, renovating a community hatchery and restarting the management of TABU area. Moreover, we visited the Takara area which also has "Good Practice" of community-based fisheries management setting TABU area. In addition to the community-based fisheries management sites, SDG14 team went to Fish markets, a Tilapia farm and hatchery centre and a Bêche-de-mer landing site and processing site. Through the visit, we found out the possibility of South-South Cooperation held in Vanuatu and the needs of the Vanuatu Fisheries Department toward SDG14 Project Capacity Enhancement Training held next year during phase3.

5. Toward 2023

The GOS III team will deliver a regional seminar next January and they said Fijian Fisheries Officers will be invited to Vanuatu's sites in order to share their Good Practice implemented in GOS III.

In conclusion, the JICA SDG14 project team was able to discuss the possibility of collaboration with the GOS III team next year. JICA SDG14 will be continually supporting the implementation of SDG14 project in Fiji and related Small-Scale Project conducted by MoF in Fiji. Also, we will select Good Practices from your Small-scale projects in Fiji and provide a platform to learn from each other in the Pacific region with the division which will have successfully made the Good Practices.

Aquaculture research center operated by Vanuatu Fisheries Department (Tagabe, Port Vila)

Beche-de-mer landing site

Beche-de-mer processing site

Community hatchery ''Grace of the Sea'' Project site in Mangaliliu

Deputy Director of Vanuatu Fisheries Department, Mr. Sompert explained Community Marine protected area

Discussion with Community members in Takara village

Meeting with Fisheries Officers (@ Vanuatu Fisheries Department)

Tamahu Natai Fish market in Port Vila