In Fiji, fisher associations, including fisher co-operatives, are a crucial mechanism that enables the nation's fishers to express their concerns and enhance their fishing efforts and incomes. In order to better understand their needs and challenges, FAO interviewed office bearers of 21 fisher associations and fisher co-operatives across the four divisions of Fiji. The information gathered provided valuable insights into how fisher groups work in Fiji and how they might be supported more effectively. The aim of the survey was to analyze fisher organizations objectives, goals and status, asset base, as well as the existing capacity and training needs of executive officers and members.

How a fisher organization is structured

Generally, most associations and co-operatives meet monthly to discuss how to enhance the economic well-being of fishers through training new fishers and fishers who wish to develop new skills, with the goal of protecting and improving their livelihoods. Fisher organizations vary in size from a few to 100 members, representing different backgrounds, age and gender groups.

Associations and the co-operatives have internal structures that consist of a board of directors, a chairperson, an assistant chairperson, a secretary, an assistant secretary, and a treasurer. As some of the associations are newly formed, they are still waiting for trainings to be provided by the government and other organizations before they start to manage the fishing business. To successfully carry out their operations and assets, these newly formed associations often require better technical and financial support and guidelines.

The main priorities of the associations and the cooperatives are to improve their capability and skills in bookkeeping and accounting, finance and business management, data collection and management, and improved leadership quality.

The provision of such capacity development programs will enable them to pass their skills to younger generations to manage the association in the future. Fisher associations are also seeking training support in deep sea fishing, use of different fishing gears to target high-demand fish in the market, sea safety, identification of fish species and recording fish catch data, and conservation of their marine resources.

Meeting the challenge of better pricing

One of the greatest challenges for the fisher organizations is securing a market.

"There is no consistent source of revenue in the village, the association would like to secure a market and sell processed fish as well; middlemen usually buy our catch at a low price and then sell to markets, earning excessive profits," the office bearer explained. He went on to say that they would want to have a fixed market for their catch so that they can sell it directly at a set price rather than travelling to the mainland and selling it at a lower price on a regular basis.

Therefore, the main priority for the association and the co-operative is to secure a market that will buy their products at more reasonable rates and sell them at the proper time for profits that will cover the administration and management costs of their group.

Because some of the associations have no assets of their own, they then have to hire a village boat to transport fish to the market. As transporting fish to the market is very expensive, associations are seeking assistance and support to enable them to secure a boat, outboard engine, fishing gear and freezers. Fisher organizations that own such assets are able to rent them out to the members.

The cooperative's office-bearer said that the cooperative's boat is hired for a night by a group of fishermen, and each fisher contributes to the cost of hiring. He further added that the money collected by the cooperative from this is used for community activities.

Members also pay for the use of a solar freezer on a per-kg-per-day basis. The funds raised through such mechanisms can better support the long-term sustainability of the fisher organizations (as long as they have the skills and training to manage the association’s funds and resources appropriately). 

The highlighted priorities are to build stronger fisher organizations that empower its members and collaborate closely with the government to produce a better fishing industry and offer excellent services to the markets. Members of the association also invest a portion of their profits from the sale of their catch to the group. Money earned through associations i intended to be used for community initiatives such as the construction of cyclone evacuation centers and to support community children's education.

Strengthening the operation of fisher organizations

The survey results were used by FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme “Mapping and characterization of Fishers and Fish Workers Organizations in selected Pacific Island Countries”, to develop a set of small-scale fisheries specific modules and training materials to strengthen the operation of fisher associations and fisher co-operatives in Fiji in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism, and Transport - Cooperative College of Fiji (MCTTT-CCF).

With the support of MCTTT-CCF, the Ministry of Fisheries is encouraging the development and strengthening of fisher associations and co-operatives. Ongoing activities will build the business and financial management capacity through workshops delivered by MCTTT-CCF, to strengthen fisher organizations across Fiji's four divisions.

The survey efforts, as well as the next steps, are also coordinated under the “Enhancing livelihoods and food security through fisheries with nearshore fish aggregating devices in the Pacific Ocean (FishFAD)” project. FishFAD is implemented by FAO with the financial support from the Government of Japan.