Local fishing business acknowledges ESP support

Local fishing business, Wantoku Ocean Development Project has recently acknowledged the support by the Government under the Economic Stimulus Package initiative.

This is according to the Chief Executive Officer Bernard Fiubala.

“The ESP has played a major role since Wantoku Ocean Development stopped operating due to lack of funds in August 2020.”

Hence, Fiubala further seeks for continued support from the Government.

Wantoku Ocean Development is a locally- owned company that purchase sustainably- harvested marine resources from local fishermen in the rural areas.

The company had done extensive visibility groundwork various communities and had established MOUs in relation to their operation strategies.

In its early stage, the company has organized technical trainings for interested fishermen who are responsible for fishing, handle processing and storage of the required species before selling to Wantoku Ocean Development Company.

As part of its operations, the company owned MV Penzella travels on a fixed schedule to various locations in the provinces to engage fishermen in the rural communities and buy certain targeted marine species.

As part of its operations, the company usually lends out outboard motor engines together with esky coolers and ice blocks for rural fishermen to go out to fish.

“We then, pay for the fish they caught upon their return from their fishing trips,” says Fiubala.

The company plans to open a fish market to enable its products to be sold at the highest minimum standard of fish trading in Honiara and abroad.

The Government through the ESP Committee is fully committed to the accountable implementation of the ESP in the interest of wellbeing of the people, national stability and economic empowerment.

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OPMC Press Release