Fiji’s pristine ocean boasts diverse resources of marine life species that ranges from finfish products such yellow fin tuna, big eye tuna, albacore tuna, marlin, swordfish, mahi-mahi, deep water fish like snapper and reef fish species such as sea-bream, trevally, groupers, coral trout and rock cods. Aquaculture products include prawn, seaweed, giant clam and tilapia farming.
The fisheries sector plays a vital role in the overall growth and development of the country. The sector provides employment and income opportunities, access to food sources, sustainable livelihoods and if properly managed, assists in maintaining balance in the ecosystem’s biodiversity. The fisheries industry is the third largest natural resource-based sector in the economy, behind sugar and subsistence agriculture, contributing around 0.7% to GDP as well as 12% of total export earnings.
The main contributor to the sector is commercial fishing, especially offshore tuna catches. Other contributors include beche-de-mer, aquaculture and other aquatic-based produce. The main commercial tuna species include big eye and yellowfin. These are high value commodities that are largely destined for the Japanese and the USA markets.

OPPORTUNITIES‍

• Fiji has a very large Exclusive Economic Zone, which covers 1.29 million square km of sea.
• Large stocks of marine resources such as tuna species of yellow fin, skipjack, albacore, and big eye.
• Pacific Island countries in the western and central Pacific provide 34% of the world tuna catch.
• Fiji produces some of the most beautiful pearls in the world.
• Opportunities for aquaculture farming for the tourism industry and exports.
• Huge potential for value-adding and niche markets.
• A variety of seaweed is also available in the Fiji waters.
• Fiji produces high value commodities that are largely destined for the Japanese and USA market in the form of fresh and chilled tuna (sashimi market) and loin fillets.
• The coastal waters, coastal mangroves and surrounding reefs have large stocks of fish, crabs, clams, shellfish, prawns, lobsters, etc.

Last Updated: August 2023