Manz Shipping Agency Fiji Ltd

⚠️A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR CONWAY REEF.

For Conway Reef and southern parts of Fiji’s EEZ:
Expect very destructive hurricane force winds up to 80 knots with gusts to 110 knots, phenomenal seas, damaging heavy northerly swells and poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

⚠️A GALE WARINING REMAINS IN FORCE OPEN WATERS OF FAR SOUTHWEST VITI LEVU, FAR SOUTHERN KORO SEA AND FAR SOUTHERN LAU WATERS.

For open waters of far Southwest Viti Levu, far Southern Koro Sea and Southern Lau Waters: Expect damaging gale force winds up to 45 knots with gusts up to 65 knots, high to very high seas, moderate to heavy north to northwesterly swells and poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

POSSIBLE IMPACTS:
HIGH RISK FOR ANY SEA CRAFT TRAVELLING CLOSE TO CONWAY REEF AND SOUTHERN EDGE OF FIJI EEZ
HIGH RISK OF SEA TRAVEL FOR SMALL SEA CRAFT (INCLUDING FIBRE BOATS) OVER FIJI COASTAL WATERS
RISK OF DAMAGING COASTAL FLOODING OF DEBRIS ALONG COASTAL AREAS ESPECIALLY DURING HIGH TIDES
DANGEROUS FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

Click on the link for latest updates: https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=warn1 #20017.txt

📣HEAVY RAIN ALERT.

A Heavy Rain Alert is now in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, northern parts of Ra, Greater Nadi, Lautoka and Ba area, interior of Ba and Nadroga/Navosa, Sigatoka, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti Groups.

Tropical Depression 08F was located about 190km west of Rotuma at midnight tonight as it heads southwest towards Vanuatu. It has a high potential to become a Tropical Cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours. Below is the Forecast Track Map for TD08F.
Please keep posted to
https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=index_smartmet
for up-to-date track maps and warnings.

Minister for Fisheries & Forestry, Hon. Kalaveti Ravu addressed regional fisheries reps at a workshop early this week & reminded them that the Pacific is stronger together & must continue to advocate for the adoption & implementation of labour standards at regional platforms.

Are Marine Protected Areas effective for tuna conservation? The first-ever quantitative evaluation of the contribution of no-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to the conservation of tropical tunas in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) has been published in Frontiers in Marine Science. Marine Protected Areas have been established by many countries....

📣Latest Update on Tropical Cyclone Irene

At 6am this morning, Tropical Cyclone Irene had further weakened and was downgraded to a low pressure system. The system has also moved out of our region.

However, the following warnings are still in force:

A Heavy Rain Warning remains in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Western and Northern Viti Levu [Lomawai, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Interior Ba and Interior Ra] but is now cancelled for Bua and Macuata Province. Heavy rain is expected to ease from tomorrow.

A Flash Flood Alert remains inforce for low lying areas ,small streams and flood prone area within [Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua And Rakiraki, Interior Ba And Interior Ra], Bua And Macuata Province.

A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for the land areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Vatulele, Kadavu, Western and Northern Viti Levu, Bua and Macuata Province. The warning has been CANCELLED for Bua and Macuata Province. Strong winds is expected to ease over these land areas from tonight.

A Strong Wind Warning remains in force for Yasawa and Mamanuca Waters, Southwest Viti Levu Waters and Kadavu Passage. Strong winds is expected to ease over these waters from tomorrow.

A Coastal Inundation Alert remains in force for coastal areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Western Viti Levu to Coral Coast [ From Teidamu Through Lauwaki, Momi to Coral Coast], Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Moala Group, Central Lau and Southern Lau Group.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Meteorological Service is also monitoring a tropical disturbance that is approaching from the West and is expected to enter into our region (Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC)- Nadi Area of Responsibility (AoR)) this evening.

This tropical disturbance is expected to track southwards close to New Caledonia. It does not pose any threat to the Fiji Group.

-End-

📣Heavy Rain Alert.

🚨A Heavy Rain Alert is now in force for:
✅Yasawa and Mamanuca groups
✅Western/Northern Viti Levu [ i.e. Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki, Interior Ba and Interior Ra]
✅Bua Province; and
✅Eastern Macuata Province.

This is due to a trough of low pressure with cloud and showers is expected to approach from the North and affect the whole Fiji group from Thursday till the next few days.

Occasional showers and thunderstorms is expected over Yasawa and Mamanuca Group, Western and Northern Viti Levu (Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki, Interior Ba and Interior Ra), Bua and Eastern Macuata Province. Showers expected to become frequent and heavy over these areas from later Thursday.

Cloudy periods with some showers and isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorms is expected for the rest of the nFiji group. Heavy falls is likely in some places.

🔴Possible Impacts:
- Some localised businesses likely to be affected.
- Flash flooding of low lying areas.
- Localised flooding of iris crossing and informal settlements.
- Some disruption to traffic flow and poor visibility (land/sea).

Follow the link for latest updates on this special weather bulletin: https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=warn1 #20014.txt

⚠️HEAVY RAIN WARNING
A Heavy Rain Warning is now in force for:
✅Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups,
✅Interior and Western parts of Viti Levu (Greater Sigatoka-Nadi-Lautoka-Ba-Tavua-Rakiraki Area)
✅Interior and Northern Parts Of Vanua Levu (Northern Bua-Macuata-Cikobia-Qelelevu)
✅Kadavu
✅Lau And Lomaiviti groups.

🚨HEAVY RAIN ALERT
A Heavy Rain Alert Is now in force for the rest of the Fiji Group.

Occasional rain, heavy at times and few thunderstorms expected over Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, Interior And Western parts of Viti Levu (Greater Sigatoka-Nadi-Lautoka-Ba-Tavua-Rakiraki Area, Interior Of Ba And Ra Province), Interior and Northern Parts of Vanua Levu (Northern Bua-Macuata-Cikobia-Qelelevu) Kadavu, Lau and Lomaiviti Group.

Elsewhere, occasional rain with isolated heavy falls expected.

Possible Impacts:
- Some localised businesses likely to be affected.
- Flash flooding of low lying areas.
- Localised flooding of iris crossing and informal settlements.
- Some disruption to traffic flow and poor visibility (land/sea).

The next special special weather bulletin on heavy rain warning will be issued around 06.00pm today or earlier at https://www.met.gov.fj/index.php?page=warn1 #20014.txt .

STATEMENT

​As more information and reports are received by the Fiji Police Force and Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) of threats made against minority groups who are ​now ​living in fear following recent political developments, a decision has been reached to call in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to assist Police with the maintenance of security and stability that we have enjoyed.

A meeting was held today between the Honourable Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimara​ma​, Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing Hon. Inia Seruiratu, RFMF Commander and Director General National Security Major General Jone Kalouniwai and myself, where we came to an agreement for RFMF personnel to assist Police with the maintenance of law and order, amidst growing concerns of racial tension.

It’s a consensus decision based on​ official reports received,​ intelligence and information gathered​​ and​ the​ ​evaluation of the current security landscape where minority groups continue to be targeted and information of planned civil unrest​ received.​

I ​also ​reiterate my earlier call for social media users to be mindful and aware of the implications their posts are having on the overall security landscape.

The continuous attacks on minority groups has aggravated the current tense situation.

​While the Army and Navy personnel have been called in to assist, Police will continue to lead the overall security operations led by the Chief Operations Officer (COO) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP Abdul Khan who will be collaborating with the RFMF to ensure the safety and security of all Fijians as we see through the current political process.​

Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

Crew and observer safety and welfare critical | FFA's TunaPacific: Fisheries news and views Da Nang, VIETNAM – December 2, 2022 - Crew and observers’ safety and welfare must be ensured by the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission for its members and operators within their area, non government organization reps here in Da Nang have stated. They have brought their concerns to the ...

Director of Fisheries, Ms. Neomai Ravitu says that women are contributing immensely to ocean leadership, management, conservation & science in both our communities and through our fisheries economies.

Pacific fisheries observers could return in 2023 Commercial fishing vessels in the Pacific could see regional fisheries observers returning to their decks as early as January.

Operation Kurukuru is held annually and attended by reps from FFA member countries. This year, two officers from the Ministry took part. Through collaboration with our Pacific partners, Fiji will continue to work towards combatting IUU.

Fiji joins the rest of the world today to celebrate World Fisheries Day. Today let us stand united with fisherfolk, fish farmers & concerned stakeholders to remind ourselves of the importance of our fisheries resources as a source of food & income and the need to sustain it.

FIJI DROPS IN-COUNTRY TEST AND REDUCES ISOLATION TO 5 DAYS

Effective 5 September, international travellers no longer require a COVID-19 test on arrival — a change owed to Fiji’s community-wide immunisation and low cases.

As announced by the Hon. Prime Minister today, incoming travellers will no longer be required to produce evidence of test bookings to board flights to Fiji or disembark at any of our seaports.

Having welcomed record visitor arrivals in July, with a strong year-to-date recovery, this change adds to Fiji’s increasing competitiveness as a tourism destination.

The Chair of the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce and Permanent Secretary for Economy, Shiri Gounder, shared the critical role of tourism in Fiji’s post-pandemic recovery.

“We expect the Fijian economy to grow by 12.4% this year. This strong recovery is led by the resumption of tourism and our efforts to build a more resilient economy,” said Mr Gounder.

The Entry Test Fiji portal, used to pre-book tests, will no longer accept new bookings from 5 September 2022. Travellers with pre-booked and paid in-country tests, prior to the effective date, should undertake the test for their safety and that of the Fijian community.

As a current practice, testing providers must honour their bookings and report results to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. Travellers arriving into Fiji will also need to self-report on a single immigration card.

While the mandatory in-country test no longer applies, anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms is still required to get tested. Those who test positive will now be required to isolate for a minimum of five days. If they have symptoms after five days, they must complete seven days of isolation.

Healthcare workers and aged care facility workers will still be required to isolate themselves for a minimum of seven days, in the event they test positive for COVID-19.

Reducing the isolation period from seven days to five days will greatly assist the Fijian tourism industry.

With hotels reporting occupancy at pre-COVID levels, they will now be able to free up inventory — easing the pressure during peak tourism season. This further allows hotels to take new bookings and bring in new spending.

“Our approach to safety is exemplary -- we can see that in the growing tourism demand and low positivity amongst tourists. Removing all testing requirements and reducing the isolation period further fuels our economic recovery and eases travel barriers.

This is especially true for markets such as the middle-income North Americans, who we expect more of with Fiji Airways launching the Vancouver route in November,” said Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Shaheen Ali.

This step is in line with best practices among highly-vaccinated societies and follows countries such as Australia, the US, the UK, and Europe.

With these changes coming into effect, the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr James Fong, reiterated the need to maintain vigilance.

“While we have scaled back our entry requirements, we continue to urge global best practices. Travellers will still be required to get tested if they develop symptoms. Test providers approved to undertake COVID-19 testing should continue reporting results to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to maintain robust surveillance,” said Dr Fong.

“We will continue to focus on community-wide immunisation to protect our vulnerable population. We are currently looking at an 80 percent booster coverage target for those over 18 years of age and expanding 2 dose immunisation to children so that we get 80 percent coverage in all those 6 years and older. It’s important that our immunisation campaign is complemented by COVID-safe measures by businesses and every individual,” added Dr Fong.

The COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce will continue to review Fiji’s entry requirements and COVID safe measures, with a focus on fostering social and economic recovery, maintaining border and community surveillance to ensure early warning of future threats, and supporting the mandate for community-wide protection through vaccination.

All other existing conditions for entry, including vaccination, remain applicable and can be reviewed at https://www.mcttt.gov.fj/

For more information, email: [email protected]

Man charged with multiple murders and attempted murder on board a fishing vessel further remanded in custody The 26-year-old man charged with the murder of 6 men and attempted murder of 2 others on board a fishing vessel has been further remanded in custody b

📍TROPICAL DEPRESSION 11F LINGERS NEAR VANUATU
No Direct Threat to the Fiji Group

Tropical disturbance TD11F has intensified further into a tropical depression at midday today.

However, TD11F is now moving into unfavourable conditions for tropical cyclone development.

The disturbance is expected to drift southwest towards Vanuatu.

Although TD11F is anticipated to remain a tropical depression, associated damaging gale force winds up to 30 to 35 knots and rain is still likely to affect Vanuatu.

TD11F poses no direct threat to Fiji. However, an associated trough of low pressure is expected to affect the group, bringing occasional showers over most places from tomorrow until the weekend.

-End-

FIJI DROPS PRE-ARRIVAL COVID-19 TESTING REQUIREMENT

Effective 1 May 2022, fully vaccinated visitors coming to Fiji by air or sea, no longer need to produce a pre-arrival negative COVID-19 test.

This step is in line with best practice for entry requirements among highly vaccinated societies. We have also widened our vaccination requirement for entry into Fiji. Travellers above the age of 16 years must now display proof of full COVID-19 vaccination prior -- to entering. This further reduces the risk of community transmission and allows Fiji to capture a greater percentage of the fully vaccinated tourism market.

Read more: https://bit.ly/36WSbYz

As a reminder, since we are still in the warmer months of the year, be careful of what reef fish you chose to eat.

A person may get ciguatera poisoning from ANY reef fish that they eat. Chances of getting ciguatera poisoning may increase if there has been heavy rainfall or warm/hot weather.

Fijian Customs issues notice to captain of superyacht Amadea The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service has issued two infringement notices to the captain of the superyacht Amadea under the Customs Act of 1986.

Effective 7 April, travellers can enter Fiji with:

✔️ Negative RAT for travellers 12 years and above taken no more than 24 hours prior
✔️ Proof of vaccination for travellers 18 years and above
✔️ Pre-booked and pre-paid RAT, to be administered after 48 hours but before 72 hours of arrival into Fiji, booked via https://entrytestfiji.com/
✔️ Travel Insurance as applicable

More info ➖https://bit.ly/3jaQRUb

After weeks of establishing private testing facilities nationwide, we are ready to remove the three-night stay requirement upon entry into Fiji. From 7 April, fully-vaccinated visitors, residents and citizens will only need to conduct a rapid antigen COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival in the country at an approved testing facility. A full list of the locations will be published online.

Bringing in more private sector test providers brings in competition that lowers prices and saves costs for visitors – especially tourists and those visiting friends and family or returning citizens –– making Fiji a more attractive destination. So instead of visitors being beholden to a hotel, they have the option of going to a nearby pharmacy that’s been approved to get their test done.

All visitors to Fiji will play by the same rules because from 7 April we will also do away with the Travel Partner system. The most important thing is that visitors be vaccinated. If they are, and if they are tested upon arrival, their country of origin is less important.

From tomorrow (25/03/22), the wearing of masks will become optional and all venues may operate at full capacity. Social distancing requirements will no longer be enforced either.

It is up to people to apply the more than two years of experience we have with COVID to do what makes them feel comfortable and safe.

Sereana Logavatu is the first female from the Ministry to be a Shiprider onboard the USCGC Stratton, enhancing women's role in fisheries law enforcement. Support from dev. partners help Fiji progress with monitoring its waters. Read more below.