Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Alitia Bainivalu, says the $24.9 million(US$12.45 million) budget allocated to her ministry is aimed at overhauling the country’s fisheries sector, warning Parliament that Fiji’s fishers ‘do not need just words of support — they need cold storage that works, boats that are seaworthy, markets that are accessible, and ecosystems that are alive’.
In her 2025–2026 budget address, Bainivalu said the funding would strengthen offshore surveillance, upgrade ice plants, and expand aquaculture, research and commercial fisheries in a bid to make the industry more resilient and productive.
“Fisheries are an integral part of Fiji’s national culture, economy, and way of life,” said Bainivalu. “Fisheries play a central role in our collective journey toward resilience and shared prosperity.”
Bainivalu said $3.1 million(US$1.55 million) has been allocated to the Offshore Fisheries Management Division to crack down on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, including support for the new National Surveillance Centre.
“The increase in budgetary allocation will… support the Ministry’s move towards strengthening its Offshore MCS capacities, ensure that its premium markets are maintained, encourage Fiji’s Port and Flag state capacities and also set the foundation of Fiji’s move to enter two new tuna-Regional Fisheries Management Organisations,” she said.
Those organisations are the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) and the Inter-American Tuna Commission (IATTC).
Fiji will also host the 9th Tuna Trade Forum this year, and the Ministry has secured $562,500(US$281,250) for the event. Bainivalu said the Forum will reflect on the tuna industry’s future under the theme “Pacific Tuna 2050: Resilience, Innovation, and Equity and Sustainable Trade for a Prosperous Future.”
The Ministry is putting $5.7 million (US$2.85 million) into expanding aquaculture and reducing dependence on wild fish capture.
Bainivalu said $2.9 million (US$1.45 million) will also go toward fisheries research, including support for pearl oyster farming and marine conservation. A new Japanese-funded fisheries research vessel will enhance ocean monitoring and stock assessments.
Another $2.2 million(US$1.1 million) will fund technical services and maintenance of key facilities, including 23 ice plants and new machines for Vanuabalavu and Levuka.
For inshore fisheries, $1.3 million(US$650,000) will go to boosting market access and reviving commercialisation of species such as giant clams, mud crabs and mangrove oysters. The Ministry also plans to explore deepwater snapper and pakapaka fishing.
“We will revitalise product development of giant clams, sea urchins, mangrove oysters and mud crabs… in addition to entering new fisheries,” said Bainivalu.
The Ministry will focus heavily on data and technology, with digital tracking of catch data and satellite monitoring, alongside stronger partnerships with NGOs and private investors.
“The ocean is our lifeblood—but it is under threat,” Bainivalu said. “We once again thank the foresight of the Coalition Government in allocating this budget to the Ministry of Fisheries.”
She called the budget “progressive, well-targeted, and forward-looking,” and pledged that her ministry would deliver sustainable outcomes for all Fijians.
