Graduates of Fiji’s very first Micro qualification training on Establishing and Operating a Small Seafood Business.
6 May 2025, Lautoka, Fiji – In classrooms once filled with whiteboards and flipcharts, and later buzzing with laughter and lightbulb moments, a group of dedicated Fijians from all walks of life came together to learn something new—not just about seafood, but about sustainability, resilience, and business.
They were fisheries officers, market vendors, farmers, and fisherfolks. What united them was their participation in the Micro Qualification Training on Establishing and Operating a Small Seafood Business, delivered by the USP component of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme, funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden. Held from April 28th to May 2nd, 2025, this training marked a turning point—not just for individuals, but for fishing communities within Fiji’s Western Division.
Women Leading with the Sea’s Gifts
From the village of Namuaimada in the province of Ra, Jiutatia Masivou brings more than just sea grapes to the market—she brings leadership. As treasurer of the Tikina Navolau Women’s Cooperative, Jiutatia has helped guide a group of women from four villages, specializing in nama (green sea grapes).
The training gave her both technical and ethical tools. “Quality matters,” she said. “But so does sustainable harvesting—we must leave the roots so nama can regrow.” Inspired, Jiutatia is now working with her cooperative to introduce a harvesting rotation system to protect the marine ecosystem and ensure long-term income.
Soil to Sea: Growing a Sustainable Future
On the fertile outskirts of Lautoka, Fiji, Priteshma Poonam has cultivated a life rooted in innovation. From vegetables to bees (or bee-keeping?) and now aquaculture, her farm—Grow Green Organic Crops and Livestock—thrives on resourcefulness. When COVID-19 exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, Poonam pivoted to using local feed like coconut and cassava for her tilapia and prawns.
But the training brought her even deeper insights. “It taught me the value of product quality and planning,” she said. “I now understand how to promote my business better and why back-up systems, like investing in a generator, are critical to maintaining standards.” Even with a stable market, she sees more room to grow—with smarter systems and a clearer business strategy.
Turning Experience into Enterprise
For Iliesa Sukaloa, a seasoned fisherman from Viwa Island in Yasawa, fishing has always been about the ocean. But now, it’s also about building something bigger: the Natia Fishermen Cooperative, formed to cut out middlemen and sell directly to Nadi and Lautoka markets.
“Our cooperative is still in its early stages, with 12 members,” Iliesa said. “This training came at just the right time.” Working closely with his group, he helped draft a business plan—his first. “I’ve never thought so much about business structure before. Now I see how crucial it is.”
The training has given Iliesa confidence, not just in himself, but in the future of his cooperative. “It’s useful to the young and old alike. Every fisherman should go through it if we want to grow stronger together.”
Financial Literacy as a Foundation
At the busy Lautoka Wharf, Filipe Balemoto has been selling seafood for years. But as a member of the Lautoka Fishermen Cooperative, established in 2023 with 64 members, Filipe admitted that managing finances hadn’t been their strong suit.
“We were overspending without realising it,” she said. “This training helped me see the mistakes we made—how we used our establishment funds without tracking expenses.” Now, she’s determined to bring this knowledge back to his community. “We can correct it. I will help us do better.”
Training of Trainers – Empowering the Empowerers
Supporting these community leaders behind the scenes were people like Katangateman Tokabwebwe—or Toka—Acting Principal Scientific Officer for Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries. Along with ten other fisheries officers, Toka attended the training to better support the cooperative movement the Ministry is promoting.
“This was the first training of its kind for fisheries officers,” he said. “We learned how to develop business plans and understand the mindset of entrepreneurs.” With these tools, Toka and his colleagues are now better equipped to guide communities through establishing seafood businesses, bridging the gap between government and grassroots.
“The ripple effect is real,” he added. “We now have the confidence to go out, mentor others, and keep building from the ground up.”
A Ripple Becomes a Wave
From Lautoka Wharf to Viwa Island, from inland farms to the coral reefs of Ra, the Micro Qualification Training is creating a ripple that grows with every person empowered.
Through the USP PEUMP Programme, these Fijians are learning not only how to operate businesses, but how to strengthen communities, protect their environments, and ensure that the sea’s bounty continues to support generations to come.
The message is clear: with knowledge, comes power—and with shared knowledge, comes resilience.
USP is one of four key implementing partners of the PEUMP Programme, a EUR 45 million program which promotes sustainable management and sound ocean governance for food security and economic growth while addressing climate change resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity.
It follows a comprehensive approach, integrating issues related to ocean fisheries, coastal fisheries, community development, marine conservation and capacity building under one single regional action. The PEUMP Programme is housed within the Institute of Marine Resources within the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS).
-ENDS-
Media Contact
Lore Croker, USP PEUMP Communications, lore.croker@usp.ac.fj
