Local fishers in Lautoka are set to benefit from two newly donated 23-foot fishing boats aimed at boosting their catch and promoting sustainable fishing.

The Lautoka Fishers Cooperative Limited (LFCL) received the vessels each equipped with twin 60HP outboard motors, full safety gear, and fuel under a government-backed initiative supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The handover was officiated by Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Alitia Bainivalu, who praised LFCL’s commitment to transparency and best practices.

The initiative, part of a pilot program between the Ministry of Fisheries and JICA, could be scaled to other parts of Fiji and the Pacific.

A talanoa session followed, offering a platform to discuss future expansion and opportunities for other fishing communities.