Twenty-five million dollars has been paid to local suppliers of the lucrative bech-de-mer business in Vanua Levu within the last three years by Gold Hold Sea Food Limited of Labasa.
The interesting revelation came from divisional fisheries officer north¬ern Joji Vakawaletabua and confirmed by Richard Du of Gold Hold Sea Food Limited of Labasa.
Mr Vakawaletabua said a lot of families in the north improved their standard of living by selling beach-de-mer to Gold Hold Limited.
“Of course there is the trickle down effect that benefitted the local super¬market, village stores, carries drivers and others, so we are thankful to Gold Hold Limited for growing the northern economy in line with Governments look north policy,” Mr Vakawaletabua said.
“The high demand for beche-de-mer and the availability of buyers like Gold Hold has helped in the eradication of poverty, one of the pillars of the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress”
Mr Du said fisherman from 206 villages in Vanua Levu sold beche-de-mer to the company. This creates wealth to their families and grows the economy of the Northern Division.
“The high demand for beach-de-mer in Asian countries has benefited local suppliers in these villages on Vanua Levu raking in good money,” Mr Du said.
“We buy 20 different types of beach-de-mer giving a lot of options to suppliers.
“The different kinds of beche-de-mer that we buy included Sucu Walu, Green Fish, Loaloa, Dri Loli, Dri Tabua, Tarasea, Curry fish, Sucu Drau and Catapilla.
“The prices we pay local fishermen are very attractive and have encour¬aged high constant supply.”
The company buys Sucu Walu for $220 per kilogramme, Green Fish for $150 per kg, Loa Loa for 180 per kg, Dri Loli for $150 per kg, Dri Tabua for $150 per kg, Tarasea for 100 per kg, Curry fish $150 per kg, Sucu Drau $150 per kg, and Catapilla $100 per kg.”
(SPC) has revealed that Fiji raked in F$16m from exports of 300 tonnes of beche-de-mer to the Asian market in Research by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community 2009.
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