Bycatch training scholarships for new FMA programmes

The 46 students selected for the Fiji Maritime Academy’s Deck Hand Fishing and Offshore Fishing Skipper Programmes that will commence in semester one, have all been  awarded scholarships to undertake the training.
 
The full tuition only scholarships have been made possible through WWF-Pacific’s ‘Developing Sustainable and Responsible Tuna Longline Fisheries in Fiji’ project that is funded by New Zealand Aid’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and WWF New Zealand.
 
According to FMA’s principal lecturer Nautical Science, Captain Tevita Robanakadavu, after a rigid selection process, the 46 selected for both programmes would undergo eight months of training in total for their certificate programmes.
 
“We have selected 15 students for the Offshore Fishing Skipper programme; 8 males and 7 females. The total duration is 31 months (18 months of Practical on board a fishing vessel and 13 months training at the Fiji Maritime Academy). And we have selected 31 students (21 males and 8 females) for the Deckhand Fishing programme. The total duration is four weeks prior to joining a fishing vessel as a Qualified Deckhand,” highlighted Captain Robanakadavu.
 
Pacific Networks Limited Director and WWF-Pacific consultant who is developing the bycatch training module, Alec Woods, highlights the two programmes supports Fiji’s maritime stakeholders’ commitment in demonstrating that Tuna sourced from its  longline fishery are being done in a sustainable and responsible way.
 
“The programmes not only allows the creation of job opportunities for young people in the Fiji fishing industry; but allows MSC verification for the Fiji Albacore and Yellowfin longline fishery; to also improving market access from a responsibly sourced fishery and the traceability from sea to plate concept,” Woods highlighted.
 
This is a first for Fiji, where bycatch mitigation training will now be offered at a tertiary institution in the country. Something FMA is keen to administer.
 
“All students selected for Offshore Fishing Skipper will join a Fishing vessel for six months sea time before enrolling for Part A and Part B at FMA. For Deckhand Fishing students will join a fishing vessel for Practical sea time for 24 months before enrolling for a Near Coastal Fishing Skipper,” highlighted Captain Robanakadavu.
 
For WWF-Pacific, the scholarships will greatly assist students wanting to pursue a career in the offshore fishing sector.
 
“We are grateful for the support provided by NZAid’s MFAT through WWF New Zealand and the team that put this project together as well as those that supported its initiation for recognising a need such as this and for taking that step in delivering it. We also appreciate the FMA’s receptiveness in taking on this additional yet relevant training for its students,” added Seremaia Tuqiri, WWF-Pacific’s Project Manager, Sustainable Fisheries and Seafood Programme.
 
Semester one for FMA that includes the new programmes commences on February 4^th.