Approximately 19 participants completed a micro-qualification training on Establishing and Operating a Small Seafood Business in Nauru last month. This initiative was made possible through The University of the South Pacific (USP)Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) programme, which is funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden.
Jonas Star, Coastal Fisheries Manager at Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resources Authority, praised the innovative nature of the training: “It’s great that USP offers this qualification, especially for professionals like us who can’t commit to long-term programmes. A one-week course is ideal for us to focus fully and gain the expertise we need. Having experts come from Fiji to Nauru also makes the training more accessible to local Nauruans.”
He further emphasised the impact of the training on both personal and community levels, “We’ll apply this knowledge to our business goals and share it with our communities, ensuring that more people benefit.”
The micro-qualification is aimed at small-scale seafood businesses, entrepreneurs, market vendors, fishers, and seafood sellers, providing them with essential skills to enhance their operations.
Shirleen Bala, course developer and trainer for the USP PEUMP programme highlighted the importance of continuous skill development in the seafood industry, “The micro-qualification in Establishing and Operating a Small Seafood Business is tailored to address the evolving needs of the industry, equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in this dynamic sector.”
The qualification covers key areas such as establishing and operating a small business, marketing strategies for small businesses, customer-driven marketing, basic bookkeeping, and writing a business plan.
Small business owner Chubasco Diranga shared her appreciation for the training, noting how it helped her identify areas for improvement in her business operations, “The training helped me pinpoint and correct practices that were holding my business back. I’ve now learned the importance of separating business and personal expenses.”
This training marks the beginning of potential follow-up programs, including courses on seafood safety and quality, value chain analysis and community-based fisheries management.
USP is one of four key implementing partners of the PEUMP Programme, a EUR 45 million programme 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 at the Centre for Sustainable Futures (CSF) at USP.
