A fisheries adviser will meet with Tonga’s CEO of the Ministry of Fisheries and the National Fisheries Council during the New Zealand Tonga Business Council’s visit to Tonga this week.

The New Zealand High Commission in Nuku’alofa said Vaughan Wilkinson, a fisheries adviser accompanying Ambassador Shane Jones, would meet with the CEO of the Ministry of Fisheries, Dr Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi, and the National Fisheries Council to discuss areas of interest for the Tonga fisheries sector.

CEO of Ministry of Customs and Revenue Kulu Anisi Bloomfield said this week fishing was the most directly important sector for the kingdom’s economic development.

Bloomfield also has a fishing business on his own in Tonga which sells to the local markets and Hawai’i.

A 30-strong New Zealand Business Council delegation flew to Nuku’aofa on Wednesday (February 15).

The delegation includes people from a wide range of industries, including infrastructure, renewable energy, energy storage, education, health care, the NZ Government, tourism and consumer goods.

The fishing industry in Tonga faces a number of challenges.

Complaints raised in Parliament include high port fees, taxes and competition from Asian heavily-subsided fishing vessels.

According to the Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016-24 fishing is a key element to securing food security for Tonga.

The report said the ocean around Tonga  did not  appear  to  support  a significant fishery.

It said that if viable tuna processing operations could be developed, preferably based on increased catches landed by Tongan ships, the bycatch and non-exported products could expand local market supplies.

Aquaculture involving cockles and clams could provide a much needed increase in supplies.

The main points

  • A fisheries adviser will meet with Tonga’s CEO of the Ministry of Fisheries and the National Fisheries Council during the New Zealand Tonga Business Council’s visit to Tonga this week.
  • The New Zealand High Commission in Nuku’alofa said Vaughan Wilkinson, a fisheries adviser accompanying Ambassador Shane Jones, would meet with the CEO of the Ministry of Fisheries, Dr Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi, and the National Fisheries Council to discuss areas of interest for the Tonga fisheries sector.
  • According to the Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016-24 fishing is a key element to securing food security for Tonga.
  • A 30-strong New Zealand Business Council delegation flew to Nuku’aofa on Wednesday (February 15).

For more information

Tonga’s fishing industry gets a regional profile

Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016–2024

For more information

http://nzkanivapacific.co.nz/2017/02/tonga-untapped-potential-says-business-council-leader/

Tonga has untapped potential, says Business Council leader

Tonga’s fishing industry gets a regional profile

Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan 2016–2024

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