Pacific Region: Effort to meet standards

In a bid to ensure the production of canned tuna in the region meets the required standard, specialised training has been organised in Levuka by the European Union-supported Development of Tuna Fisheries in the Pacific Project (DevFish2).

The 18 participants include cannery and fish inspectors from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands who are part of the thermal processing and regulatory audit training.

DevFish2 is implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and DevFish officer Jonathan Manieva said the training was timely and critical as the tuna processing industry in the Pacific region experienced growth.

According to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) 2015 Economic Indicators Report, the estimated tuna processing market share of FFA member countries doubled from 100,000 tonnes prior to 2013 to about 210,000 tonnes in 2014.

"As the industry grows, the need for human resource capacities in key specialised areas of the production line also grows. This technical and specialised training will enhance the skill-sets of our nationals so they can fill roles that would otherwise be occupied by specialists from overseas. This is enabling employment of nationals at mid-management levels in the industry," Mr Manieva said.

"The safe production of canned tuna fish is also a critical component of nutritional contribution of fish to food security for our people. And enhancing employment opportunities of our nationals in the sector contributes to individual and household income," he said.

In collaboration with the Pacific Fishing Company Ltd, the workshop participants will also get the opportunity to undertake practical training sessions at the tuna processing plant's factory floor.

Source: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=332067