Fiji Minister Visits Taiwanese Aquaculture Facility, Strengthens Pacific Partnership

Fiji’s cooperation with Taiwan in the field of sustainable aquaculture took center stage this week as Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Chair of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Hon. Tomasi Tunabuna, led a delegation of lawmakers to the Taiwan-backed Caboni Aquaculture Station.

The facility, operated in partnership with Taiwanese experts, is the only site in Fiji consistently producing whiteleg shrimp larvae and now serves as a regional hub for shrimp and multi-species fish hatchery research.

Ambassador Joseph Chow, Taiwan’s Representative to Fiji, welcomed the delegation and described the facility as a living example of what two like-minded partners can achieve together.

“This is more than a facility—it’s a reflection of our shared commitment to sustainability, food security, and regional friendship,” said Ambassador Chow.

Rebuilt after its destruction by Cyclone Winston in 2016, the Caboni Station now hosts two flagship programs: a shrimp breeding initiative focused on survival and hatch rates, and a fish hatchery working with milkfish, rabbitfish, grouper, and mullet.

Lawmakers toured the upgraded systems and sampled fresh shrimp and Taiwanese-grown red dragon fruit. In a gesture of friendship, Ambassador Chow presented each delegate with a bottle of Taiwan’s award-winning Kavalan whisky.

Minister Tunabuna thanked the Taiwanese team for their continued support.

“Taiwan’s technical cooperation has made a real difference in Fiji’s coastal communities,” he said. “This partnership continues to deliver results where it matters most—on the ground.”

The visit also carries broader geopolitical significance. As Taiwan seeks to expand its engagement in the Pacific amid growing diplomatic pressure from Beijing, initiatives like the Caboni Aquaculture Station showcase Taiwan’s commitment to development, not just diplomacy.