The Ministry of Fisheries has made a pivotal move to strengthen partnerships with traditional leadership in the marine development sector by conducting its inaugural formal consultation with Ratu Etonia Seru Rokotuinaceva, the Gone Turaga Bale na Tui Levuka. The meeting took place at the Provincial Administration Boardroom and included a delegation from Suva, featuring the Acting Director of Fisheries, senior officials from the ministry, representatives from the Ministry of Lands, and key government officials from Lomaiviti, including the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the iTaukei Affairs Board.
The discussions centered around planned infrastructure enhancements at the Makogai Mariculture Research Centre, aimed at fostering sustainable mariculture development in collaboration with the Government of South Korea. Additionally, the meeting highlighted the significance of the Wakaya Gazetted Marine Reserve, with a strong emphasis on encouraging inclusive engagement among all stakeholders, particularly the resource custodians of the Vanua o Levuka, in alignment with Fiji’s broader Blue Economy strategy.
During the consultation, Ratu Etonia expressed appreciation for the government’s initiatives and recognized their potential for long-lasting benefits to the Fijian people. He emphasized the importance of maintaining regular and substantive dialogues with the Vanua and their resource custodians, advocating for inclusivity as a fundamental aspect of national development planning.
As a gesture of respect, a matanigasau was presented to Ratu Etonia, symbolizing the bond between traditional leaders and government officials. Future engagements are planned to ensure ongoing dialogue and collaborative efforts continue. Ratu Etonia commended the advancements at Makogai and acknowledged the commitment of officials to realizing national development objectives for the betterment of all Fijians.
This proactive strategy of engaging traditional leaders in marine initiatives is a promising development for Fiji’s mariculture sector and broader sustainable efforts. The collaboration marks a significant step towards establishing a more inclusive and environmentally sound framework for resource management in the region, fostering hope for future sustainable development in Fiji.