EU Fishing Vessels In South Pacific-Fiji Points Of Origin and Trade Negotiations.

Firm concerned about EU vessels
7/27/2009

A major fishing company is disturbed and disappointed that a number of European Union vessels are using Fiji as an unloading port to allegedly export fish to the EU.

Fiji Fish Marketing Group Limited Chief Executive Officer Grahame Southwick said this has been practiced for the past 18 months. “Fiji has not been reinstated as a market for fresh fish being supplied in the EU market, they have delisted Fiji as a source of fresh fish citing hygiene and other issues,” Mr Southwick said.

“But yet we are somewhat disturbed that vessels belonging to the EU countries continue fishing in the Pacific region.

“They continue to use Fiji as an unloading port to export fish to the EU and at the same time they have prevented Pacific Island countries from exporting fish to their countries,” he said Mr Southwick said it was a ludicrous situation whereby EU vessels were allowed to use Fiji as an unloading transit point and Fiji was not permitted to do so in their countries.

He said as a result Fiji and other Pacific Island countries were forced to sign an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) while Pacific Islands are still banned from exporting fish to the EU.

Mr Southwick said he was informed earlier that relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Fisheries and Foreign Affair were investigating such practices that were carried out.

He said as a result Fiji Fish faced an annual loss of $6 million in gross sales from export following the directives given by the EU. He said indirect affects included the inability to keep the company’s market share and international reputation. He said they had developed an excellent reputation in the EU for supplying quality tuna on a regular basis.