Representative Joseph Chow, Trade Mission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Fiji and Hon. Kalaveti Ravu, Minister for Fisheries attended the Prawn Stocking Ceremony for the construction of a new pond by the farmer in Vunitogoloa District on at 10:00 am on 18 August 2023. The farmer assisted by Taiwan Technical Team actively is the first Itaukei in Fiji invested in farming prawn to start lucrative business, which is a significant and vivid example. The venue of the ceremony was decorated by pictures and photos with descriptions saying and highlighting the hardship as well as efforts dedicated by Taiwan Technical Team particularly on the contribution and the current achievement in cultivating prawn larvae and vigorously assisting the Fijian farmers.
Ministry Ravu was first guest to be invited to make the remark, he has been engaging in fishery for decades, and is extremely moved because of this event today. It is the first Fijian Itaukei to invest in aquaculture, which will be good example for further entrepreneurial expansion. He particularly expressed his gratitude to Taiwan for its continued assisting Fiji’s agriculture and aquaculture for many years. Four years ago, we explored a barren land on the nearshore region in Fiji and established a base to breed fish and prawn larvae and seedlings. Guiding and encouraging the local farmers to participate in this industry. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Taiwan for its contribution in assisting Fiji's agriculture and fisheries.
Representative Joseph Chow then invited to deliver his speech, he gave a warm greeting in Fijian local language and on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), he felt honored and delighted to attend the ceremony. All of the achievements including the completion of the pond and proceeding to the stage of the prawn stocking are the privilege that Fiji is uniquely endowed with such a high-quality natural environment as well as the important critical and important factor that the joint efforts by the governments and private sectors between Fiji and Taiwan. This is a milestone and a great achievement of mutual cooperation between Taiwan and Fiji.
Taiwan Technical Team worked hard with confidence and perseverance to set up an aquaculture center in Caboni, Fiji in 2019 and obtained continued support from Ministry of Fisheries in Fiji with the join efforts and belief in sustainable development and operation which made the Caboni farm now became the only prawn larvae center in Fiji to actively extend its expertise and know-how to assist the Fijian farmers. Taiwan government appreciates the Ministry of Fisheries for continuously sending professionals to participate in the execution of aquaculture projects. The cooperation between Taiwan and Fiji is a great demonstration of the fact that “Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping”.
Representative Chow said, Fiji is located in the South Pacific hub and is an important gateway for its neighboring countries to connect with the world and provides a world-wide market and business opportunities for this region. We sincerely hope, with the cooperation and support from Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries, we will surely diversify more fish species in Fiji bringing prosperity and creating more opportunities for the people and government of Fiji. After Representative Chow’s grand speech, the prawn stocking ceremony was held. Representative Chow, Minister Ravu and Mr. Jale Silimaibau, the head of the farming household, assisted by Taiwan’s technicians, stocked 20,000 prawn larvae into the pond.
The people around the pond rejoiced with blessings and applause. Afterwards, the traditional Fijian thanksgiving and blessing ceremony continued. The ceremony lasted about 3 hours and came to an end successfully.
