Around USD1.5 million has been committed by the Government of Japan to provide useful equipment, including fishing boats to aid Tonga's fisheries sector in its post tsunami recovery.

Japanese Ambassador HE Mr Kensaku Munenaga and Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku signed the Exchange of Notes on this Non Project Grant Aid on 27 May, at the Cabinet Room.

The Ambassador said the assistance is to assist the recovery process of the Ministry of Fisheries from the disasters and will provide useful equipment requested by the Ministry of Fisheries, such as new equipment for the Fisheries Mari-culture Center, a variety of vessels and boats.

“I hope and I am rather confident that this NPGA will support Tonga’s Fisheries industry and put it on the right track to recovery or rather, on the better way to its development. I trust that this assistance will encourage the affected people and communities of the fisheries industry."

$21.5 million loss for Tongan fisheries

Meanwhile, a Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Disaster Recovery and Resilience Building Plan 2022-2025 announced by the Prime Minister on 8 March, stated that the fisheries industry is suffering from considerable damages by the tsunami, he said.

"Many fishing boats were destroyed and lost, and relating equipment and facilities in coastal areas were damaged. Reportedly these damages have cost the Tongan Fisheries industry about $21.6 million pa’anga in total."

The Prime Minister expressed Tonga’s gratitude for this generous assistance.

He said fish and fisheries are an integral part of most societies and Tonga is heavily dependent on its fisheries and ocean resources for their basic livelihood, for food, transport, economic development and culture.

"Tonga is grateful to Japan for lending extra assistance to ensure the sustainable development of fisheries resources and support active participants in the fisheries sector."