Policy for Coastal Fisheries Resources 2014.

The Policy for Coastal Fisheries Resources is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The purpose of this policy is to ensure sustainable coastal fisheries in order to sustain the livelihood by offering best commercial opportunities, improve access to food security and to sustainably develop and manage the natural resources. This policy includes fresh water aquaculture, freshwater fisheries in streams, ponds and lakes.
Food security will be ensured by improving fish catches. Moreover, the market conditions for fish products, including dried fish, fresh fish fillets (and whole), cooked fish, shell fish from the reef, will be improved to facilitate the access to food.
The partnership between fisheries stakeholders, including fishing communities in the outer islands and the Cook Islands Fishing Association will be strengthened to find ways to strengthen the ability to continue fishing in a sustainable manner. The knowledge and skills of all, including artisanal fishers, engaged in fishing activities will be enhanced and opportunities will be created with the aim of securing sustainable food supply and engage in income generating opportunities. To this end, fishermen and fisherwomen will regularly come together for capacity building through sharing knowledge and experiences about fishing methods, fish species with an emphasis on certain valued species, area and time restrictions and resource management practices for the protection of fish species. In addition, trainings will be provided to fishers to maintain the quality of their catch. Moreover, efforts will be given to build the capacities of young fishers in collaboration with the non-governmental organizations, church groups and schools.
The Ministry of Marine Resources and the Business Community will introduce ways to sustain coastal fisheries through Fishing Associations, such as reducing the cost of fuel and taxes for fishers, advertising the sale of fish and fish products, increasing the shelf life of fresh fish and fish products for sale, establishing market for each fish product, and providing safe fishing gears. In addition to that, fiscal and market measures will be taken to support fishers by developing market opportunities for each fish product. Data collection systems and research will be developed and the access to information will be improved to ensure self-sufficiency of fishers. National policies will be developed including good innovative business practices to protect fisheries resources and their ecosystem, achieve maximum benefit from our fishing practices, support all fishers, ensure the highest quality fish and fish products on the market, and identify a brand for fish products. Fishers will be encouraged to provide catch data for each fishing trip to the Ministry of Marine Resource in order to protect fish species and ensure their sustainability. New and foreign techniques will be introduced to strengthen fishing practices. Fishers will be supported to access funding opportunities from the Government and other organizations. Furthermore, surveillance system will be improved to prevent the licensed foreign fishing vessels to fish close to the outer islands.