About Us
The Fiji Fishing Industry Association (FFIA) was established in 2016 and is registered as an Industrial Association with the Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Workplace Relations (MEPWR).
Before that, the Fiji tuna fishing industry had two (2) associations, namely the Tuna Boat Owners Association (TBOA) and the Fiji Offshore Fisheries Association (FOFA). Since they go through common issues with the Government Ministries and Agencies, they decided to come together and jointly approach the authorities with their challenges.
The Association currently only accepts membership from the fishing vessels that hold Fiji fishing licenses for Fiji’s exclusive economic zone, archipelagic waters, and territorial seas and Fiji flagged vessels holding Fiji authorisations for the high seas within the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO).
The Association is currently manned by an Executive Officer and is operated by the Executive Committee comprising a President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) Executive Members, who serve for three (3) years before the election of a new term.
The core function of the Executive Council is to ensure that:
⥼ The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) catch certification under the FFIA MSC Group is maintained at all times, ensuring that those listed fully comply with the conditions of the certification;
⥼ The association’s finances are strong at all times, ensuring smooth operation throughout each financial year;
⥼ Ensuring that the members’ operational challenges are addressed by having them referred to and attended to by the relevant authority;
⥼ Ensuring that members partake voluntarily in gear trials and collection of biological samples to assist regional bodies in better understanding the region’s complex and demanding tuna fisheries and coming up with the best scientific advisory.
⥼ Such vessels stay out at sea for up to 14 days
⥼ Catches are stored in either ice or brine solution
⥼ Catch is required to be back in port ensuring freshness for the foreign market
⥼ Catches are sent to the market by air
⥼ Markets include USA, Japan, Australia and New Zealand
⥼ Officers on vessels are both locals and foreigners whilst the crews are mainly locals
⥼ In the first 30 days, the vessel will target for the frozen markets
⥼ Catches are stored in freezers at either -60°C or -35°C depending on the market
⥼ As the vessel steams back to port, it will start targeting for the fresh market that are stored in brine solution
⥼ Catches are sent by sea freight to PAFCO Levuka, Pago Pago, EU, Thailand and Vietnam
⥼ Some frozen catches go through value addition locally for niche markets
⥼ Officers and crews are both locals and foreigners