PM calls for blending tradition and science to sustain Pacific fisheries

It is imperative for us to look back at history and see how our forefathers managed our resources so we can learn from them and incorporate them with the modern science database that is at our disposal.

This was highlighted by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Vodafone Arena today as fishing nations discuss issues during the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission's twenty-first regular session.

He says it is our duty to look after the resources that sustain us.

Rabuka says the Pacific is home to the most productive tuna fisheries in the world and it is our responsibility to see that these resources are managed wisely and equitably.

The Prime Minister says we should be reminded of the immense wealth that the oceans provide, not only to our unique economy but also to the very fabric of our various cultures.

He adds the complexity of our ocean eco-syatems require a collaborative approach, one that integrates scientific knowledge with traditional practices.