Step forwards for Niue's sport fishing industry

23rd JULY 2012

Step forwards for Niue's sport fishing industry

Niue’s potential to become a renowned blue-water sport fishing destination took a step forward recently with the drafting of an accreditation framework for charter operators, an important development in an overall strategy to attract more visitors.

The accreditation framework was a major outcome of a workshop for existing and prospective fishing guides, organised by the Niue Tourism Office (NTO) with assistance from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

A collaboration between NTO, SPC Nearshore Fisheries Development Section, the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), the Niue Island Fishermen’s Association (NIFA), and the European Union’s DEVFISH II project, the workshop was conducted by SPC Adviser Mr Michel Blanc and New Caledonia-based fishing guide Mr Etienne Picquel with strategic input from representatives from NIFA, NTO, SPTO, Niue Fisheries Department, and staff of Niue Telecom.

“Fishing charters having been available for more than a decade, sport fishing is already a niche industry in Niue, but the NTO recognises the need to both strengthen the industry and ensure that any economic benefits are spread across the community,” said Mr Blanc.

“The accreditation framework will require charter operators and prospective fishing guides to attend a series of training modules and pass tests on topics such as sea safety and legislation, operating a VHF radio, first aid, customer service and safety, fishing techniques and data collection, These topics that were also covered in the workshop.”

During the second week, participants were able to practice some of what they had learnt. Local skippers practiced their guiding and boat handling skills, while the others fished at Niue’s fish aggregating devices (FADs) and reef drop offs, under the guidance of Mr Etienne Picquel.

Mr Blanc said that the SPC Nearshore Fisheries Development Section will continue to collaborate with NIFA and the NTO, with plans to develop a comprehensive data collection system to analyse the socio-economic impacts of Niue’s fishing charter industry.

ENDS

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