16 Jun 2015

Fiji conservation campaign receives high profile backing

6:00 am on 16 June 2015

A campaign to boost grouper fish stocks in Fiji has received the backing of a high profile family.

no caption

Photo: 123RF

The 4FJ campaign asks people to pledge to forego the fish during the spawning season from June to September in order to help grouper stocks recover.

Studies show a 70 percent decline in fish catch in 30 years, while 73 percent of Fiji's spawning sites are declining.

Last month the Prime Minister pledged his support and now hotelier and conservationist Jean-Michel Cousteau put his name behind the campaign.

The Campaign spokesperson Scott Radway says Mr Cousteau's support marks a key moment for 4FJ.

"We approached him to be a part of campaign given that he has obviously a passion for marine conservation. We felt it was a great opportunity to connect with him in a grassroots campaign. This campaign has really been internal to Fiji in the sense that it's really been engaging Fijians and this is our move now. We are really starting to engage the private sector through the visitor industry."

Scott Radway.

Around 3,600 people have pledged support so far.