In a significant move to support the local fishing community and enhance access to healthy local foods, Tonga Health has formed a collaborative partnership with the Special Management Area (SMA) committees of Kolonga, Navutoka, and Manuka, alongside the Ministry of Fisheries. This initiative aims to establish a safer environment for fishers to market their seafood and fish, fostering both community health and economic development.

The collaboration was formalized through a grant agreement signing ceremony, attended by key representatives from each party. Mr. Sione Kafoa, the Town Officer and Chairperson of the SMA Committee in Navutoka, along with Ms. Malia Peata Sioko Noa and Mrs. Vai Finau Mafi, secretaries of the SMA Committees in Kolonga and Manuka respectively, represented their communities in this landmark agreement.

With financial backing from Tonga Health, these communities are set to construct covered roadside fish market stalls, a project made possible through the approval of land use by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. Additionally, the Ministry of Fisheries will lend its expertise to ensure the sustainable management of marine resources, thereby securing the long-term benefits of this venture.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Kafoa highlighted the importance of the project for the villages along Tongatapu’s eastern coast and underscored the need for strengthened community bonds to enhance the availability of healthy local food sources. He noted the particular advantage of the covered stalls for women, who are primarily responsible for selling seafood and fish, enhancing their safety and convenience.