A FISH processing company has welcomed the government's move to steer from the old practice of "rear view management" and take seriously matters plaguing the ailing tuna industry.
Fiji Fish Marketing Group Limited managing director Grahame Southwick said when a land-based industry was devastated by cyclone or flood or some other natural disaster, various grants and concessions were rapidly put in place to aid recovery.
"But when the tuna catch falls from 100 fish a day to 10 to 15, the only visible effect is in the catch logs that get analysed a year later and reported a year further on still," he said.
Speaking from Thailand yesterday he said the devastation that was plain to all industry stakeholders each day was not noticed or acted upon until the harbour was full of derelict vessels and abandoned factories, by which time it was "far too late for many".