Chair, of the Day of the Seafarers Committee,
Fellow Ministers,
Permanent Secretaries,
Commissioner, Fiji Corrections Service,
President of the Institute of the Maritime Officers Guild,
Chair, Maritime Safety Authority,
Commander of the Fiji Navy,
CEO Fiji Ports Corporation Limited,
CEO Fiji Maritime Academy,
Key Maritime Stakeholders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula vinaka, and a very good afternoon to you all.
Today, there’s a lot to be thankful for. We have the joy of being able to gather with our families and friends. We have the freedom to move around. And, we’ve put ourselves and the Fijian economy on the path to recovery.
None of this happened overnight. While we’ve seen the leaders and the health experts at the forefront over the last two years, we cannot forget those who played a fundamental role in getting us to where we are.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we commemorate the Annual Day of the Seafarers,with the theme as “Your Voyage- then and now, Share your Journey”, we pay tribute to the men and women who’ve kept us going in our most difficult times.
Our seafarers sail the seas every day; helping the Fijian economy. They facilitate global trade and keep our islands and Fijians connected. You transport goods, including lifesaving medical supplies. You’re part of an experience–a product, in the Fijian tourism industry. Without this noble profession; there would be no maritime shipping.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We, the Pacific, are over 7,500 islands and 22 island nations – spanning some 30 million square kilometers across the Pacific Ocean. Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spans 1.3 million square kilometers across the Pacific Ocean. This makes us the natural hub of the Pacific. So you can see how maritime shipping is crucial and the role seafarers play.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The history of early long-distance sailing among the Pacific people is unparalleled . The first people to traverse the open sea for extensive journeys were our ancient ancestors. Single dugout canoes, some of which had outriggers, like the Fijian takia and the drua, were used for the major migration voyages.
A classic example are the five indigenous Fijians hired as topazes in Calcutta. They were traveling to Fiji on the Leonidas in 1879. They came from Galoa in Kadavu, where they were known as Bill, Soni, Tom, George, and Jonny back then. Back then, they were referred to as the Leonidas Fijians, and Academia claim that they traveled to Sydney after being picked up by a mail steamer in Galoa, Kadavu. They left Sydney for America and then traveled on to India before sailing back to Fiji on the Leonidas on May 14, 1879.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The voyage of every seafarer is different – our journeys are different.
The pandemic still creates a tough working environment for seafarers. There’s crew change, access to medical treatment, and shore leave. And that’s why our efforts to support them should be a priority.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Here at home, the Fijian Government in collaboration with International Maritime Organisation and key maritime stakeholders, continue to support seafarers by recognising them as vital personnel. Why, because to a certain extent, they’re ambassadors of our oceans – our greatest asset.
Just last week, we came to an inclusive agreement at the World Trade Organisation to curb harmful practices that allow some of the world’s biggest subsidisers to dilute the disciplines into irrelevance. Meaning, they take as much from our shores illegally. We came to this balanced agreement after over 20 years just to protect our fish stock. That’s how important our maritime industry is.
So, as we consider the future of this annual day; we pay close attention to new challenges and opportunities in the broader context of our climate goals. You as SEAFARERS will no doubt meet these issues head-on and open the door for a bluer sector.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I personally take great pride in the noble profession of Seafarers and Mariners. They say the voyage marks the beginning of a lifetime spent at sea.
So, today, we give all seafarers the respect and acknowledgment they deserve.
We recognise the unique characteristics shared by seafarers that result from the perils of the sea, living and working in an enclosed and inescapable ship space, being apart from families.
I take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your contribution and your support to our seafarers. Without your partnership, we wouldn’t be here today. Today is your day, and I encourage every Fijian to join me in expressing gratitude to our Seafarers.
With these few words, I wish our seafarers a “Happy Seafarers Day”.
Thank you and Vinaka vakalevu.