Confiscated fish during the four months seasonal ban on the ‘Grouper’ fish (kawakawa) and the ‘Coral Trout’ (Donu) – will not be returned.
Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau says, that it is important to note that while the ministry has focused on raising awareness during the period of the ban, communities need to be informed – that all confiscated fish will not be returned, as it was confiscated during the closure period.
Koroilavesau says that at the discretion of the Permanent Secretary, the confiscated fish will either be used for research, or will be ‘trialled’ for aquaculture fish feed production.
He added that fishermen, merchants and restaurant operators around the country – who had their fish confiscated, need to remember that the same operation will be carried out next year, and the ministry will be putting stringent measures in place.
