Phase One of the construction at the Caboni Yaqara Multi-species fish hatchery in Togovere, Fijian islands, has been completed. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama acknowledged the government investment of more than $1.6 million, explaining that the hatchery will contribute to food security and alleviate poverty by providing jobs both in the hatchery and on fish farms.
The hatchery will provide tilapia to local fish farms and prawns and other species to ponds and over-fished reefs in the country.
“This means we can increase our food supply by sustaining the marine species we depend on,” the prime minister said. “This will benefit our environment, our coastal fishing communities and the people of Fiji.”
A challenge for the hatchery is its location on Viti Levu which is prone to flooding. Indeed, just a matter of weeks after the prime minister opened the administration building of the hatchery the area was hit by Cyclone Winston, which left homes and other buildings on the island destroyed, and the hatchery project temporarily stalled.
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