A Tongan fisheries company says the government needs to make commercial fishing cheaper for local companies in order to attract more domestic fleets.
Alatini Fisheries has held meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries this week to discuss ways of attracting more fishing vessels to operate in Tonga's waters and how to revive the industry.
The Managing Director of Alatini Fisheries, Tricia Emberson, says in the last five years there have only been two local fishing fleets licensed to operate and is recommending the government make some key changes.
"One of the big things is the consumption tax, that it be abolished. Because it's created a huge problem since its inception. We'd look at government revising some financial incentives to perhaps attract joint venture companies. We'd also look at their charges being made on the domestic fleet be revised because they're amongst some of the highest compared to other countries around the region."
Tricia Emberson says has also suggested the government devise a clear, strategic license framework within a year.
