From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.

“We have not been able to utilise the ocean’s prosperity and availability,” said the newly appointed Secretary for Fisheries,  46-year-old Manase Felemi.

He blames the current difficulties of Tonga’s fishing industry on the El Nino change in the ocean’s temperature and believes is that the drop in the catch of tuna is partly due to this climatic change.

“It happens, the rise and fall of fishing year after year. But overall I think that catches are gradually developing and I think there is still availability for the industry,“ said Manase.

Currently there are 35 licensed fishing boats in tuna fishing long lining and 21 in bottom fishing in Tonga.

Since taking up his new post in January of this year Manase has been working towards facilitating and encouraging the development of Tonga’s fishing industry, and he is doing that by stressing the need for the Ministry to be more receptive and supportive of proposals and suggestions submitted by individuals.

“I do not want to turn anyone away with a ‘no you cannot do this’, but more by giving a positive response that they can do that but there are requirements they need to fulfil,” he said.

He also wants to create a system that  could allow better communication between himself and his workers., so that they can understand the decisions that he makes.

Main earner

Manase came to the Ministry of Fisheries after 10 years of working at the Ministry of Agriculture. He had earlier worked at the South Pacific Forum as a Development Cooperation Officer for six years. Before taking up his new post Manase was the Assistant Director for Agriculture. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture degree from the University of the South Pacific, and a Master of Economics from the University of New England in Australia.

“While I was working at the Ministry of Agriculture I thought that Agriculture was Tonga’s main source of income but coming here to Fisheries I have found out that Fisheries is yet another main income earner for Tonga,” Manase said.

He is still learning a lot of the technical side of fisheries.

“Although I studied science when I was doing my Bachelor in Agriculture it is a whole different thing from science of the ocean. But I am happy because there are well trained qualified workers in the Ministry that help me,” said Manase.

Whaling

On the issue of whaling Manase stressed the fact that Tonga is part of the Moratorium that bans whaling.

“There is an advantage to the ban on whaling because whale watching is becoming very popular  and it is attracting tourists, and the Ministry supports that.”

He said that the other countries had submitted views that the reason why the fishing catches are low is because of a rise in the total population of whales.

Japan had submitted findings that   showed the total population of whales worldwide is at a sustainable level.

“They reckon that whales have become a predator that is competing with men in the eating of fish.

“Our concern is that if Tonga lifts the ban temporarily will it guarantee that it would reduce the importation of meats and tinned fish. That still remains to be seen”, said Manase.

Chemicals

Another of Manase’s concerns is the fact the some fishermen are using poisonous chemicals. “These people are selfish because they are thinking only about themselves and neglecting to recognise they are killing a whole population of sea life in that area.”