Japan Fishing Association donates more than SBD$63,000 to tsunami victims

The Japan Far Seas Purse Seine Fishing Association has donated more than SBD$63,000 to help the people affected by the recent earthquake and tidal wave disaster in the Western and Choiseul Provinces.

Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Nollen Leni yesterday confirmed the donation.

Mr Leni said the money has already been paid to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

He said the Association and government have been negotiating fishing access agreements for Japanese fishing boats to fish in Solomon Islands waters.

Mr Leni said the Association however does not have any formal representative in Solomon Islands so that is why it has to come through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Masao Nakada who is the Tuna expert for the Honiara-based Forum Fisheries Agency was the mediator between the Association and Ministry for the money to come through.

National Disaster Council representative Julian Makaa thanked the Fisheries Minister and assured him that the money will be used for its intended purposes.

Makaa also asked the Minister to convey NDC’s gratitude to the Association on behalf of the affected people of Western and Choiseul Provinces.

Permanent Secretary Ruth Liloqula and Under-Secretary Silvester Diake of the Ministry also witnessed the ceremony which took place in the Minister’s office yesterday.

Source: SIBC