New fisheries minister announces plan to rally private sector to establish processing facilities

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Fisheries Minister Bradley Tovosia has announced his commitment to making seaweed processing a reality in the country.

Tovosia uttered this in parliament yesterday.

“Mr Speaker, I would like to talk more about the seaweed industry. Our second strategic investment concerns the seaweed industry. As you know, the GINUT government allocated $18 million to increase seaweed production, $7 million in 2024 and $11 million in 2025,” said the MP for East Guadalcanal.

“Speaker, my vision is that not too far in the distant future, we will process seaweed in the country before exporting. To that end, I will ensure the work of the private sector to make seaweed processing a reality in the country,” he said.

He said that this speaks of GINUT’s commitment to economic growth and the socio-economic development of the people by the end of April 2025.

He said that the Ministry has established 1,050 new farms, bringing the total number of seaweed farms to 2,050, and new applications are still being received.

He said that $5 million worth of robs was purchased and sent to farmers in the provinces, predominantly Wagina in the Choiseul province and Rarumana in the Western province, which hosts the greatest number of farms.

“Total seaweed production reached 30,500 metric tonnes by the end of 2024, and $19 million was paid to farmers. We aim to reach the 10,000 metric tonne mark by the end of 2025, with an estimated value of $50 million,” said Tovosia.

He said that his Ministry have worked with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) to ensure a specific authority for the export of seaweed to boost the return of seaweed export value.

“This has been done, and it will ensure that the total export earnings are remitted back to the country,” he said.

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