The Minister said this during the opening of the Alotau Town Market and Fisheries & Jetty Facility on August 21st 2020.
He said the coastal fisheries sector provides to the daily needs of over 2.5 million people of the coastal and island communities in terms of food, income, and culture and ecological uses.
Minister Tom said historically, the focus of the government has been on commercial fisheries, in particular, tuna.
