The Fiji cabinet has agreed to the handover of ownership of foreshore land within customary fishing rights areas to indigenous Fijian owners.
But Radio Fiji reports that the right will not grant exclusive possession to such traditional owners since it will interfere with public access or the right to innocent free passage.
A cabinet statement says the defenition of this legal right will bring to an end the aspirations and expectations of indigenous Fijians since such a request was first made by the Great Council of Chiefs in 1928.
The statement says consultations will now be held with all stakeholders for the preparation of a bill to give effect to the changes.
