Two senior Fiji fisheries officials have been found guilty of corruption in the issuing of fishing licences amid concerns that more people could be forced out of jobs because of overfishing.
The Fiji Times reports that the public service commission has found the suspended director of fisheries, Malakai Tuiloa, and another official, Maciu Lagibalavu, guilty.
Tuiloa was found guilty on three of the six charges laid against him while Lagibalavu was found guilty on two of eight charges.
The public service commission will decide on their penalties after a mitigation hearing.
Late last year the cabinet set up a committee of inquiry to investigate allegations of corrupt practices in the issuing of licences following repeated complaints by the Fiji Tuna Boat Association.
Its spokesman and Fiji Fish managing director, Graham Southwick, says even though the two men have been found guilty, several fishing companies have already collapsed and hundreds are out of jobs.
Mr Southwick says more employees in the fishing industry could lose their jobs because corrupt practices are still prevalent in the ministry and he has again lodged a complaint
