Fiji Fish Marketing Group Limited has ceased its tuna business and subsequently laid off around 120 employees.
Managing Director Graham Southwick confirmed he is now looking at more contracts and there may be more layoffs soon if there is a need for it.
Southwick said there has been massive decline in tuna catches in the last few years and the tuna industry is no longer sustainable.
He said they have lost millions in the last five years.
They are now processing and packaging fish for foreign vessels.
Southwick said there has been over fishing in the areas surrounding Fiji.
He added Fiji is surrounded by massive foreign fleet and most of them are subsidized by their states.
Another local fishing company Solander Pacific Limited said due to over fishing and some natural attrition they have no choice but to close part of their operation.
General Manager Radhika Kumar said last year tuna catches were less than half of the 2008 for the same amount of effort.
She said the fishing dropped to a new low level last year and hence 130 vessels are berthed in the harbour.
Minister for Fisheries and Forests Lieutenant Colonel Inia Seruiratu is expected to comment on the issue later today.
A man in his 50s has passed away following an accident in Davuilevu yesterday morning.
Director Traffic, Senior Superintendent of Police Mitieli Di...
1 hour ago
Fiji Water Flying Fijians Captain Tevita Ikanivere says the team has settled in well in Tokyo and is ready to play the USA Eagles in the first semi ...
12 minutes ago
A 40-year-old man was arrested in Caubati following a raid that resulted in the discovery of several dried branches and leaves wrapped in aluminium ...
16 minutes ago
A man in his 50s has passed away following an accident in Davuilevu yesterday morning.
Director Traffic, Senior Superintendent of Police Mitieli ...
1 hour ago
Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Selina Kuruleca says the reason for the delay in paying out of Free Education Grants for Term 2 is due to ...
16 hours ago
Students of Dreketi Central College now have new facilities as three new classrooms with necessary classroom furniture, 120 sets of desks and chairs ...
16 hours ago
The second group of Miss Hibiscus 2024 contestants appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan.
They are Miss Moutai Ciara Lee; Miss ...
3 days ago
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption conducted a search at the Electoral Commission relating to an ongoing investigation against ...
9 days ago