A senior fisheries officer told Fijivillage News that the state still owns all the qoliqoli in Fiji and the qoliqoli owners are only there as trustees, and they have no right under the laws of Fiji to levy any charges to anyone who want to use the fishing ground.
He said that's the main reason why the SDL government wanted to introduce the Qoliqoli bill.
Meanwhile, the High Chief of Macuata Tui Macuata, Ratu Aisea Katonivere was arrested and charged with larceny by Labasa Police yesterday.
Crime Officers confirm the High Chief together with four other men from his village allegedly sold about $5000 worth of other fisherman's catch in the Labasa market.
Police say a number of complaints were received against the High Chief and in the recent one, the High Chief together with four other men are alleged to have stolen and sold about $1400 worth of fish in Labasa market.
A complaint was lodged by a fisherman earlier in the week after which a team of Police Officers arrested the High Chief and four others from his village.
The five were released on $500 cash bail by Police yesterday afternoon and will appear in the Labasa Magistrates Court on the 23rd of this month.
Meanwhile, Police have also confirmed they are hunting for some other men who are believed to be part of the team led by the High Chief.
