Editor,

Your article published on 04/01/07 "Vava'u Festival starts on January 26" shows a lovely photo of a Yellow Fin proudly displayed by Jeffrey Le Strange who is the organiser of this event. I wonder if Le Strange could kindly explain to the Tongan Government, the PM and the Minister of Tourism as well as to your readers -- why he is excited about this Yellow Fin?

Well, I suspect that the excitement is not only to do with catching this massive fish, but perhaps more to do with what it is worth in markets around the world. The Japanese, for example, love fresh fish. One massive Tuna fish the size Le Strange is holding, in the fish market in Tokyo, is valued at between three to four thousand pounds (sterling), maybe more. Convert that into pa‘anga and we are talking serious money. Yes, we are talking gold mines here. (£1.00 = $3.40 pa'anga)

I said in my last letter that the Pacific Ocean is massive. To take advantage of this God given wealth, Tonga needs a fishing fleet say 10 to 20 fishing vessels. We also need to build two or three shipyards where these vessels can be moored for maintenance and repairs before sailing again. Vava‘u, Ha‘apai and the Niuas would be ideal locations for these shipyards.

Just think of the prospect it would offer our people at home. There would be jobs for hundreds or even thousands of people. Prosperity for all would not be a dream anymore. Back to reality of course, someone has to convince the Tongan Government that this is a good idea. If we are serious about improving life in Tonga, then it is time for us to think big. Let'‚s train our young people how to fish and how to market their catch. If the Japanese, Chinese and other Asians can do it, why can't we? Maybe because we've never tried or maybe the Tongans have never been given the opportunity.

With that in mind, I wonder how much Le Strange got for his catch ?

'Ofa atu

Senolita Swan

senolita_swan_3 [at] msn [dot] com