Ministry of Fisheries will not allow exemption of turtles from October to April

The Ministry of Fisheries will not allow the exemption of turtles from the month of October to April due to the vulnerability of turtles as they nest on the beaches.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau in Parliament when he was asked by Fiji First MP, Mohammed Dean to explain the provisions in place to allow Fijians to harvest turtles due to cultural obligations.

Koroilavesau says the ministry recognises the need for traditional rights for the Fijian people and turtles are a significant part of the identity of the iTaukei tradition and culture.

He adds that the Fisheries Legislation under regulation 27 of the Fisheries Act of 1972 allows the Minister for Fisheries to give exemptions on the harvest of turtles.

Meanwhile Fiji First MP, Alivereti Nabulivou asked Koroilavesau to explain the role the Ministry plays in imposing a ban or moratorium on certain marine species.

Koroilavesau states that the decision to set up a moratorium for particular species is usually based on the scientific data which indicates an over exported fishery, which show signs of rapidly declining population.

Koroilavesau says the first step in protecting turtles was announced in 1997 where Fiji imposed a total ban on the harvest of turtles and he further states that this initiative set a perfect platform which helped initiate a wide spread protection of the five turtle species in Fiji.