17 Jun 2010

Fishing industry in Samoa gets tsunami recovery assistance

4:22 am on 17 June 2010

Samoa's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has offered financial assistance to the fishing industry as part of the tsunami recovery aid mainly for small 'alia fishing boats that were destroyed or damaged in the tsunami last year.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Taua Seuala Kitiona Tavaga, says the government has decided to rebuild and refurbish small 'alia fishing boats damaged as a result of the disaster in order to encourage boat owners to continue fishing for the local and overseas markets.

He says more than half a million US dollars has been allocated for the assistance with the ministry to work with a local boat builder to provide the aid.

The funds come from the tsunami aid package.

The assistance will cover 22 registered and non registered 'alia fishing boats destroyed and damaged in the tsunami.