Fiji Times Tuesday 17 October 2017 FISHERMEN are still paying the normal fisheries access licence fees to fish in traditionally-owned qoliqoli, or fishing grounds.
Ministry of Fisheries permanent secretary Sanaila Naqali clarified that the ministry also had an understanding with fishermen that they would pay back the new fees once it had been formalised.
Mr Naqali said for now, fishermen would continue to use the former fees of $15.
“Currently, we are still processing the new access fees and they are still in its proposal stages,” he said.
“The ministry also intends to carry out proper consultations before finalising anything.”
Earlier, the then Ministry of Fisheries and Forests permanent secretary Samuela Lagataki had told this newspaper that fishermen were operating freely on the understanding that they would pay the new fees once it was enforced. Read more…
