PAPE’ETE, 19 DECEMBER 2018 (RNZ PACIFIC) – A further fishing project is being drawn up focusing on French Polynesia’s Hao atoll.
According to French Polynesia’s La Premiere TV, the fishing company Tuanui plans to set up a base on Hao to export tuna.
It said the head of Tuanui Eugene Degage had acquired four fishing vessels and will get another six to fish in the Tuamotus.
It said fresh fish would be exported to the US while frozen fish would be sold in Japan and China.
Degage has discussed his plans with the mayor of Hao Theodore Tuahine who is said to be interested.
Hao atoll is, meanwhile, awaiting the opening of the South Pacific’s largest fish farm by the Chinese company Tahiti Nui Ocean Foods.
Last month, the government gazetted its approval of the US$320 million project.
Degage had earlier tried to launch a major fishing operation centred on the Marquesas but faced opposition by local fishermen.
