Two staff members from the Aquaculture Unit, Neiribati Tabe (Fisheries Officer) and Bwebwenikai Rabwere (Senior Fisheries Officer) attended the Shellfish Quality Assurance Workshop held at SPC in Suva from 12–16 October 2026.

The workshop aimed to strengthen technical capacity in Shellfish Quality Assurance Programs (SQAPs), with a focus on selecting suitable shellfish farming sites, identifying potential sources of coastal pollution, and understanding how pollutants can affect shellfish safety and public health. Participants also visited the community oyster farm in Vutia Village and the proposed depuration site on Nikulau Island, gaining practical knowledge of site selection and safety measures, including depuration, to ensure shellfish (such as giant clams, ark shells, etc.) are safe for consumption. The team also had the opportunity to visit Galoa Hatchery to learn about its water supply and filtration systems, gain a better understanding of how these systems work, and gather ideas to assist with upgrading the water system at Aquaculture Tanaea Hatchery.

The Coastal Fisheries Division sincerely thanks the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Crawford Fund for organising and funding the workshop, as well as officials from New South Wales, Australia, for sharing their valuable expertise in shellfish quality assurance. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Galoa Hatchery officials for their assistance during the team's visit.