BY INDY MAEALASIA

DEPUTY Director of the Inshore Fisheries Division from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Faye Siota says the biggest challenge for the ministry is reaching thousands of remote coastal communities to provide support for sustainable resource management.

“Our role is to support communities by empowering them to manage and look after their own marine resources,” Siota explained. “We share information and raise awareness to help people understand the importance of protecting and managing these resources responsibly.”

However, geographical isolation remains a significant obstacle. “Every community wants the ministry and its partners to visit and provide assistance, but with over four thousand communities, we simply do not have the capacity to reach them all,” she said while speaking at a recent talkback show on SIBC.

To tackle this, the ministry partners with stakeholders to support work on the ground. “Our partners help extend our reach by providing support and resources where the ministry cannot physically be present,” Siota said.

Through these collaborations, the ministry aims to promote sustainable fishing practices and resource management from the regional level down to individual communities. “With continued support from our partners, we can achieve better coverage and stronger conservation efforts throughout the provinces,” she added.

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