Fiji’s Fisheries Department has cleared the air over rumours that a grace period had been put in place for fishermen to operate without a fishing licence.
Northern Divisional fisheries officer Joji Vakawaletabua yesterday said fishermen in the region should be more careful and not to be misled by such rumours.
Mr Vakawaletabua said there were no provisions in the Fisheries Act for a grace period for fishing licences.
“The rumours might have been fuelled from the fact that licences from last year expired on December 31,” said Mr Vakawaletabua.
“We are warning those fishing without proper licences will be taken to task.
“The renewing of licences is not the problem of this department and all holders of fishing licences should have started work on renewing their licences from December last year.”
2004 – 2007, Fiji Times Limited