THE women of Kioa are venturing into fishing as a source of income, sailing out to sea even at night when many would prefer the comforts of their home, only to make a living for their families.
One of these women on the island is 60-year-old Kuinita Lisati who is member of a fisherwomen’s group engaged in the fishing business.
Ms Lisati said she started fishing since her husband left to visit her daughter in Suva a few months ago. On a good day with a good catch, Ms Lisati could make a profit of $110 from the sale of fish while daily she would make more than $50.
“This is enough to put food on our table and also meet my daily expenses,” she said.
“Fish we catch is sold to the island’s council at $8 to $7 a kilogram depending on the fish grade.”
Litiana Nasomi, who is originally from Nairai in Lomaiviti and married to a man on the island, said fishing had enabled them to put their children to school.
Ms Nasomi said the amount of profit made from the sale of fish depended entirely on the size of the catch by each woman in a fishing trip.
“On a good day or night, women can make over $100 — making enough to meet their daily expenses and save for rainy days,” she said.
Another Lomaiviti native from Batiki who is also married to a man on the island, Adi Akanisi Yavu, said women on the island needed financial literacy training to teach them how to save money.
Adi Akanisi said women on the island could only feel the full benefits of fishing if they learned to save the little money they made from fishing.
