Gov’t to support fisheries sector development in Guadalcanal: PM

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the Government will continue to support the development of the fisheries sector in the Guadalcanal Province. 

Prime Minister Sogavare in his speech at the Guadalcanal Province 2^nd Appointed day on Monday this week, particularly highlighted the development of the national tilapia hatchery in Aruligo, in West Guadalcanal.

The Prime Minister said the Government is committed to harnessing socio-economic opportunities for aquaculture farmers in Guadalcanal and in our other provinces. 

“The Ministry of Fisheries will continue to work with our development partners to develop our aquaculture sector so that our people will benefit from its fisheries and aquaculture resources.  This is a key redirection policy of the government in the fisheries sector,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare also took the opportunity to thank the people of Guadalcanal for availing their land and reefs for its fisheries projects.

“This beautiful place and its natural lagoon ecosystems is an important research laboratory for fisheries.  The use of adult sea cucumber for the Ministry of Fisheries national sea cucumber breeding program since 2010 is a testament of your great support and confidence,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the grow out work of juvenile or baby sea cucumber reared in the hatchery and brought back here for trials is a successful story and soon many of these juveniles will be brought back to restock the reefs. 

He said this will be carried out at the right time as determined by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Research Team.

“I also wish to thank many of our coastal villages who have worked with the Ministry of Fisheries in your strive to manage your fisheries resources for the use of our future generations,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the sustainable use of our resources is fundamental to our livelihood.

ENDS//