Japan’s increased involvement in the local fishing industry will benefit the country given their environmentally friendly and sustainable approach.
Those were the sentiments expressed by Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan Isikeli Mataitoga in a recent visit to Yoshio Ishizuka, the president of the Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan (OFCFJ).
The purpose of the visit was to further develop relations with OFCFJ and explore opportunities to benefit from the services they provide.
The OFCFJ specialises in freezing and shipping canned tuna mostly to markets in Europe and Canada and was the largest private employer in the island of Ovalau in the Lomaiviti Province.
Mr Mataitoga said Fiji greatly valued the contribution of Japan to Fiji’s fishing industry.
He said an example of the Japanese contribution was the establishment of the Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) by a Japanese firm in 1964.
Mr Ishizuka also received an update of the political developments in Fiji during his meeting with the Fiji delegation.
The OFCFJ was established in June 1973 with the objectives of maintaining and enhancing amicable relationships in the fisheries field between Japan and coastal countries concerned-like Fiji.
This was done by extending technical and economic co-operation for the development and promotion of coastal fisheries and for the effective management of international marine resources conducted by the regional fisheries organisations concerned.
