Project News

The Post-Harvest and Seafood Processing training was attended by 14 participants from the Ministry of Fisheries, and was conducted by Ms. Janice Natasha and Mr. Binesh Raj from 16th to 27th January 2023. During the training, participants gained knowledge on a wide range of topics related to quality control and value addition of fisheries products. In addition to the theoretical training, hands-on training was provided in biological testing, heavy metal testing, and histamine testing. The training also included site visits to fish processing industries and the Suva fish market.

Furthermore, Ms. Janice, Mr. Binesh, and JICA experts visited the Western Division in Lautoka to hold joint meetings with fishermen, vendors, Ministry of Fisheries teams, Ministry of Industry and Trade teams, and the Lautoka Fishermen Cooperative Ltd (LFCL) to discuss the small-scale project titled "Maximizing economic return/opportunities for LFCL's members through sustainable utilization of fisheries resources" implemented under JICA. As part of the support for this project, the JICA SDG14 Project procured a chest freezer which will be installed at the Lautoka Fishermen Market. Additionally, JICA will purchase an aluminium stainless table and a trolley to display the sold fish, thereby improving the management and fish handling of LFCL.

Training facilitators demonstrate microbial assessment techniques.

Participants on a field visit to Fish Processing Company

Binesh Raj assisting participants with histamine analysis.

Group photo

As mentioned in the previous articles, JICA has been providing support for small-scale projects and conducting training to aid in the achievement of SDG14 in Fiji's fisheries sector, with a particular focus on the Ministry of Fisheries. As the new fiscal year begins in April 2023, JICA experts will continue to provide assistance to stakeholders in the fisheries industry.

Starting in the middle of the fiscal year 2023, the project's site will be expanded to other Pacific-island countries, primarily Vanuatu and Palau. Stakeholders in Fiji's fisheries industry will also be invited to participate in these efforts, aimed at promoting South-South cooperation and collaboration among the countries involved. Furthermore, Vanuatu and Palau's Fisheries Officers will visit Fiji, where Fijian Fisheries Officers will train them at the small-scale project sites. In order to facilitate this collaboration, Fijian Fisheries Officers must develop good practices within their small-scale projects that can be shared with other Pacific-island countries. JICA experts will continue to provide support to Fijian Fisheries Officers in this endeavor.