Fiji's opposition leader says indigenous landowners have been abusing their fishing rites and the government will need to crack down on this.
Mick Beddoes was responding to news that the multi-party cabinet has endorsed the Qoliqoli Bill, which will hand over control of traditional fishing grounds from the state to their indigenous owners.
Mr Beddoes says some indigenous landowners have been milking the system, at the expense of tourists.
"The system has been hijacked in a sense by some landowners where they've just gone on and demanded tourists for example to pay them fees for diving in their reefs or for surfing. These are some of the issues that we've had to deal with in the past."
Mr Beddoes says the government will need to ensure that all landowners benefit from the new legislation and that Fiji's citizens are not penalised by it.
He says moves must also be made to ensure the environment is protected in areas of commercial development.
The bill has met fierce opposition from hotel and resort operators because of its effect on beaches and surfing areas.
