Vanuatu Fisheries Department

🌊 Protecting Our Fish, Our Future! 🐟
The Vanuatu Fisheries Department is reminding all fishers, shop owners, and communities that certain fishing nets are prohibited under law. These rules are in place to safeguard our marine resources, ensure sustainable livelihoods, and protect the long-term health of our ocean.
👉 Illegal nets will be confiscated, and penalties may apply.
👉 Communities are encouraged to work together for responsible fishing practices

Department of Strategic Policy, Planning & Aid Coordination
Vanuatu Office Of The Public Service Commission
Ministry of Fisheries, Ocean and Maritime Affairs
Vanuatu Police Force
Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue

URGENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - MIDDLE EAST ❗️

Vanuatu Office Of The Public Service Commission

⚠️ Urgent Travel Advisory - Escalate conflict in the broader Middle East region❗️

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade of the Republic of Vanuatu is issuing this urgent travel advisory in response to the escalating hostility and conflict in the Middle East.

❗️For urgent assistance: Contact the Ministry directly or the nearest diplomatic mission listed in the Travel advisory issued.

Reminda iko long pablik blong lukaot long fis posening espesciali taem we yu kakae rif fis long rainy sisen.

Hevi ren I kosem bigfala run-off iko long olgeta coastal waters blong yumi mo ol rabis nalumlum we i kosen ciguatera fis posening oli save flawa bigwan. Wetem hemia, bae I save kat hae janis se bae rif fis mo sam long olgeta pelagic fish species blong yumi we oli stap kam long rif olsem dogtooth Tuna, I save posen.

Long post ataj I kat inglis, franis mo bislama translation blong ol ciguatera posters blong dipatmen. Yu save ridim blong kat moa infomesen.

IMPORTANT:
During long taem ia, eni rif fis, I no olgeta nomo long poster I save posen so plis lukluk gud long kakae blong yu.

Any reef fish can be ciguatoxic not just those highlighted on the poster below during this time period. Please be careful when choosing what reef fish to consume.

Durant cette période, tous les poissons de récif peuvent être ciguatoxiques, et pas seulement ceux mentionnés sur l'affiche. Soyez vigilants.

Vanuatu hosts 26th Regional Observer Coordinators Workshop (ROCWS26)

The 26th Regional Observer Coordinators Workshop (ROCWS26) is currently happening in Port Vila from 23–27 February 2026, with Vanuatu proudly serving as chair.

Participants discussed key observer-related outcomes, including updates on new management measures, minimum data standards, and coordination of Regional Observer Programme data. These sessions helped strengthen collaboration and ensure consistency across national and regional observer programs.

The workshop also focused on improving data management and quality, with attention to electronic monitoring and reporting tools. PIRFO training updates and scientific projects such as biological sampling and rapid DNA tools were shared to build capacity.

The final sessions will cover programme management, planning, and training priorities, including MERLA approaches, asset management, and standardized debriefing templates.

Overall, ROCWS26 set clear directions for improving observer programmes and preparing for future regional coordination.

Vanuatu Office Of The Public Service Commission

Department of Strategic Policy, Planning & Aid Coordination

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, FFA

New Fisheries Boat dedication last week happened at the Sea Front Area downtown.

Department of Strategic Policy, Planning & Aid Coordination

Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority

Vanuatu Office Of The Public Service Commission

Last week the Department farewelled Manager Policy, Ajay Arudere who will be moving onto a regional role under a fisheries project.

Director William Naviti said in his speech that Arudere will be sorely missed and that he will always be welcomed back if he choses to return one day.

Department of Strategic Policy, Planning & Aid Coordination

Vanuatu Office Of The Public Service Commission

📣𝙑𝘾𝘼𝙋 𝙄𝙄 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙚

We are pleased to announce a call for proposals for the VCAP II Small Grants Programme.

This initiative, implemented by Vanuatu’s Ministry of Climate Change with support from GEF/UNDP, seeks to empower local organizations driving climate adaptation in coastal zones.

▶️Grant amount: Up to USD 10,000 (Approx Vt 1 million)
▶️Focus areas: Protected area management; Endangered/ threatened species action plans and; Sustainable land management ▶️Eligibility:

☑️ Torres, Sola and Mota in TORBA;
☑️West Coast Santo and Big Bay inland in SANMA;
☑️ West Ambrym in MALAMPA;
☑️ South Maewo in PENAMA;
☑️South Epi in SHEFA;
☑️South Tanna and Futuna in TAFEA

This is a strategic opportunity to contribute to community-led resilience, alternative livelihoods and environmental protection and conservation in Vanuatu.

⏰ Submission deadline: 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

📌 Access the proposal template and guidelines here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Fj-l1_pu48BbtvsTwSA7yoSzywVF0sD8

Spread the word within your networks. Let’s collaborate toward sustainable impact to improve the resilience of vulnerable areas and communities to the impacts of climate change.



Ministry of Climate Change VanuatuUNDP Pacific Office in FijiGlobal Environment FacilityDepartment of Climate ChangeDepartment of Environmental Protection and Conservation DEPC

IMPOTEN NOTIS BLONG OLGETA FISHING KOMIUNITI

Vanuatu fisheries Department (VFD) i stap appeal long everi licenced fisherman blong submitm ol 2025 logsheets go long ofis long Port Vila, Luganville, Lenakel, Lakatoro, Saratamata,mo Sola bifo end blong manis blong January 2026.

Everi bot ona mas tingbaot se license blong 2025 hemi ekspae mo everi bot ona we oli operetem fiberglass, aluminum, hartely mo game fishing bot, we oli stap huk mo salem fish or sport fishing, bambae oli mas renewem license blo olgeta blong 2026 mo oli must g*t wan valid artisanal mo local fishing license wetem olgeta taem oli stap go aot blong fishing.

Taem blong renewem fishing license blong you stat long namba 1 January kasem end blong manis ya. Department i stap enkarejem olgeta operata blong visitim ofis blong oli karem moa infomesen abaot isiu ya. License stika blong 2026 oli stap kivim long olgeta license operata mo oli mas stuckem long bot blong olgeta everi taem oli go aot long solwota.

Department hemi stap luk fowod blong risivim every 2025 vessel logsheets bifo 4:30 pm long 31st blong January 2026 long olgeta ofis blong Department raon long kaontri.

Department bambae hemi enfosem Vanuatu Fisheries Act blong mekem sua se yumi respectem namba 31 Disemba 2025 olsem dedlaen.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR FISHERS

The Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD) is appealing to all licensed fishermen to submit their 2025 logsheets to the department office in Port Vila, Luganville, Lenakel, Lakatoro, Saratamata and Sola before the end of January 2026.

All vessel operators are reminded that license validity for 2025 has expired and all boat owners operating fiberglass, aluminum boats, hartley boats and game fishing boats engaging in commercial fishing activities must renew their licenses for 2026 and must have a valid artisanal or local fishing license aboard their vessel whilst fishing.

The period for renewal of fishing licenses commences as from the 1st of January 2026 until 31st January 2026 and operators are encouraged to visit the department during these dates should they wish to commence fishing operations. License stickers for 2026 are also being provided to licensed operators and these will need to be stuck on the vessel during operation.

The Department looks forward to receiving all 2025 vessel log sheets by 4:30pm on the 31st of January 2026 at the Vanuatu Fisheries Department offices.

The Department will enforce the Vanuatu Fisheries Act in making sure vessels adhere to the 31st January 2026 Licensing deadline.

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AVIS AUX PTCHEURS

Le service des Pêches rappelle aux pecheurs titulaires d'un permis de pêche à soumettre avant la fin de Janvier 2026 leurs journaux de bord pour l'année 2025 au Bureau du service de Pêches à Port-Vila, Luganville, Lenakel, Saratamata, Lakatoro et Sola.

Les exploitants des navires de pêches sont priés de noter que la validité des permis pour l'année 2025 a expiré. Tout armateur de navire de pêche Hartley, de navire de pêche en fibre de verre, en aluminium et de navire de pêche sportive pratiquant des activités de pêche commerciale doivent renouveler leur permis pour 2026 et également avoir á bord de leurs navires un permis de pêche artisanal ou local en cours de validité.

La période de renouvellement de permis de pêche commence à parti du 1 er Janvier au 31 Janvier 2026.Les exploitants des navires de pêches doivent se rendre au service des Pêches à ces dates s'ils souhaitent commencer leurs activités de pêche cette année. La vignette de permis 2026 est également delivres aux exploitants autorisés et devra être apposée sur le navire de pêche.

Le service des Pêches attend avec intérêt de recevoir les journaux de bord pour l'année 2025 avant 16h30 le 31 Janvier 2026.

Le service des Pêches veillera à l'application de la Loi sur les Pêches en s'assurant que les navires de pêche respectent la date limite de delivrance des permis, fixée au 31 Janvier 2026.

Vanuatu Office Of The Public Service Commission

Department of Strategic Policy, Planning & Aid Coordination

Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD) olsem wan important sector anda long Ministry blong Fisheries, Oceans and Maritime Affairs (MFOMA), i join tedei wetem ol narafala sectors olsem Department blong Oceans and Maritime Affairs mo Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority anda long Ministry ia blong officially closem Annual Business Planning Meeting we i stap blong fo deis long Ramada Resort long week ia.

Ol senior officials blong MFOMA, including outgoing Acting DG, Mr. William Naviti we hemi Director proper blong VFD, outgoing caretaker Acting DG, Mr. Noah Patrick Kouback, we hemi newly appointed DG blong MTTCNVB, mo Acting Director blong department blong Oceans and Maritime Affairs, Mr. Tony Tevi oli bin stap long taem ya.

Department of Strategic Policy, Planning & Aid Coordination