A chief in the Northern Division confirmed the news of rising fishing licences saying that this is done to bring the demand of fish under control so that the traditional fishing grounds remained populated with fish species. Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere said overfishing and over-exploitation could deplete their fish stocks, bech-de-mer and other marine resources. And so the authorities have unanimously agreed to levy $20,000 as goodwill fee or “entry fee” to four commercial companies.
According to Ratu Aisea most of the companies supply equipment to the fishermen, most of whom are fishing illegally, and do not pay any fees to the qoliqoli owners. He claimed that there are 18 commercial fishermen who have paid $2000 (as license fee) but about 42 are fishing illegally. He informed that the authorities are charging $20,000 to the four companies because we want this to be a deterrent or to discourage the fishermen from overexploiting our qoliqoli.
Nearly 249 licences have been given to those who operate on a small scale. Tebara Meats managing director Mohammed Jannif said apart from buying from small scale fishermen, the also have five boats and with the high cost of fuel and maintenance, they could only afford the $2000 license fee. Jannif told that the authorities are not thinking about the owners as $20,000 entry fee is too high when times a hard with boat maintenance and fuel costs are high.
There is nothing to be done as the government has decided to levy enormous fees and so they are mere spectator and has to abide by the law that will help to preserve the fish stocks for the future generation.
