In Vanuatu, more one thousand people living in Luganville town on Santo have signed a petition against a Chinese fish processing factory.
The Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority, VIPA, approved Tuteng Group's application to operate a fish processing factory in north of the town.
VIPA says the approval followed a preliminary Environment Impact Assessment conducted at the beginning of last year.
But local fishermen, who make money out of deep sea fishing, are worried about what type of fish the processing plant will be targetting.
Luganville mayor, Maurice Emboe says his council is aware of the petition but the project is yet to be discussed by the council.
He says the council encourages employment development in the town but they must ensure that procedures were followed and the environment of Luganville harbour is protected.
He says that his council is yet to examine the project before councillors can take a final decision.
The petition is expected to be handed over to the government some time this week.
