Guadalcanal fisheries centres to be upgraded

TWO major fisheries centres in Guadalcanal Province are likely to be upgraded.


The Guadalcanal Provincial Government stresses in its recent launched report that it is committed to upgrade the Marau and Lambi fisheries centre. According to the report fisheries is one of the major sectors that the province is looking at to improving.
“Fisheries sector is still underutilised sector in Guadalcanal.
 “The Provincial Government understands that there are huge potential for the development of this sector to contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development for the province,” the report said.  

The Guadalcanal acting provincial secretary John Stewart said Marau and Lambi fisheries are the two existing fisheries centers that are of concern to the province. “Fishery sector is one of the priorities that the provincial Government is committed to enhance to standard that contribute to sustainable economic development and to operate effectively,” said Mr Stewart.

He said they’ve already allocated funding from the provincial government and strengthening program under the donors to upgrade the centres. “Both fisheries centres need to be improved in machinery equipments and to continue operate appropriately to the standard,” he said.
 The secretary added the provincial Government is also looking at building new fisheries centres on strategic locations.
 He said the areas the province is eying are at Avu Avu, Kuma (south Guadalcanal) and Aola.

Mr Stewart said fishery is still underutilised in the province. “This is because the province concentrated too much on agriculture, commercial business and forestry to get revenue while there has been not much done to the sector.”

Mr Stewart said the provincial Government has nowadays recognised the huge potential in this sector to contribute to the sustainable development for the province. Guadalcanal provincial government hopes to achieve the outcome in this sector according to the report.

BY TRIXIE CARTER

Dated: 21/07/11