Cabinet has approved the Offshore Fisheries Management (Amendment) Decree 2014. The Amendment Decree shall come into force on the date of its publication in the gazette.
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest, Rural Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Mr Inia Seruiratu.
The Minister said that the Amendment Decree increases the penalties for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
“The high deterrent penalties are to protect our fisheries waters, safeguarding us from being a target for IUU fishing and allowing Fiji to be an exemplary custodian of its fisheries.”
Furthermore the Decree also amends the Principal Decree by inserting changes to various sections for the purpose of clarity and to assist the Department of Fisheries in carrying out its functions and responsibilities effectively.
-ENDS-