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Man charged over record snapper catch

By
Kaniva Pacific
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An Auckland man was sentenced to 320 hours community work in Papakura District Court on August 15 for taking 325 snappers. 

This is the largest recorded breach of the daily recreational snapper limit.

Loseli Utumoengalu, 43, of Three Kings, had earlier pleaded guilty to charges of taking more than his daily recreational allowance of snapper and the intention sell his catch.

It is illegal for recreational fishers to sell their catch. The maximum penalty is five years in prison or a fine of $250,000.

At the time of the offence the daily recreational allowance for snapper for the northeast North Island was nine per person per day. It is now seven per person per day.

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Compliance officers inspected Mr Utumoengalu’s boat at Kawakawa Bay on the 10th of October last year and the catch of the three fishers on board. They were shown a bin containing 27 snapper, which was the joint recreational limit for three fishers.

A further 40 snapper were located under the floor, at which point compliance officers impounded the boat awaiting a court hearing.

On the 14th of October compliance officers noticed an increasingly strong smell of fish coming from the vessel. After unscrewing part of the floor, a further inspection found 258 snapper in the bow of the boat (see picture attached), bringing the total to 325 fish.

During interviews Mr Utumoengalu claimed all the fish were his and he intended to sell them.

One of his fellow fishers, Nancy Utumoengalu, 42, of Three Kings, is also facing charges.

He told compliance officers he wanted to start fishing commercially and he intending to sell the fish to help pay for his start up costs.

Ministry for Primary Industries Compliance Officer Justen Maxwell-McGinn says the huge catch, the effort to conceal it and the intention to sell it makes it a very serious offence.

“This sort of offending is a real risk to the sustainability of any fishery. There wouldn’t be many fish left if everyone behaved like that.

Huge brawl erupts in central Nuku’alofa

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A mass brawl broke out in central Nuku’alofa yesterday Saturday 30, Police have confirmed this morning but could not give further "details".

Police allegedly met with difficulties in trying to break up the fight. An unconfirmed report says it followed with call for Tonga’s military force for back-up.

Comments on social media claim the brawl has led to some of the shop owners in Nuku’alofa to close their doors to avoid the risk of looting and violence.

The brawl involved people who indentified themselves as students of some of the high schools in Tongatapu but people at the scene said majority of them were no longer students.  

The cause of the fight is still unclear but many claimed it was part of recent violence that involved ex-students and supporters of high school rugby teams.

Tonga's Acting Police Commissioner, Pelenatita Fe'ao, says there was a fight but they "don't have details at this point in time". .

Vodafone and TCC sign deal

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) has signed a strategic partnership deal with Vodafone Fiji today at Vodafone’s headquarters in Suva.

The partnership deal is one of the attempts by TCC to resolve challenges it face against its network system.

Fiji Vodafone will assist the Tongan communications company so that it can provide high standard and affordable services to its customers.

The TCC Chair, Larna Aloma Johansson was in Fiji to sign the deal.

She said: “There have been many challenges for us. Perhaps may be the most has been in the area of the network system and providing for the people of Tonga an opportunity to be able to communicate with each other nationally as well as internationally”.

In 2013 Vodafone Fiji recorded about $190million in revenue compared to about $170m in 2012.

Tonga Communications Corporation is a 100% Tongan owned company. In 2013 it made an overall profit of TP$2 million representing an increase of 31% over the previous year.

“TCC operates 2.75G and 3G Mobile as well as 4G Communications networks supporting the very latest in multimedia and mobile Internet services.

“Its local coverage spans all island groups of Tonga including the Niuas, while International Roaming Services are also provided across global countries.

 “The company also invested in securing bandwidth to Tonga via a submarine cable, triggering the single largest infusion of International Bandwidth to Tonga”.

Judith Collins resigns as a Minister

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Prime Minister John Key today announced that Hon Judith Collins has resigned from Cabinet.

Mr Key says the resignation of Ms Collins followed the receipt of new information that raises allegations about Ms Collins’ conduct as a Minister.

“The relationship between a Minister and their Chief Executive is vital, and goes right to the heart of a trusted, effective government.

“This new information suggests Ms Collins may have been engaged in discussions with a blogger in 2011 aimed at undermining the then Director of the Serious Fraud Office. Ms Collins was the Minister responsible for the SFO at the time.

Mr Key released an email which had been recently been provided to his office.

“I have spoken with Ms Collins about the matters in the email, and she strongly denies any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour on her part.

“Ms Collins accepts these are serious allegations and that resigning as a Minister is the honourable step to take in these circumstances.

Mr Key says Ms Collins resignation takes effect immediately, and Hon Christopher Finlayson will be Acting Minister of Justice, Hon Craig Foss will be Acting Minister for ACC, and Hon Hekia Parata will be Acting Minister for Ethnic Affairs.

Pacific languages recognised under Labour

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Labour will act to recognise the five main Pacific languages in New Zealand including through the education system, said Pacific Affairs spokesperson Su'a William Sio.

Announcing Labour's Pacific Island policy he said that there must be a strong commitment to Pacific languages now and into the future. Labour will work alongside Pasifika communities to achieve their aspirations for the next generation of Pasifika people to thrive in New Zealand and to be smart, healthy and bilingual.

"Instead of seeing Pacific languages and cultures as barriers, we should see them as resources, as a gift to the nation and something that enriches all our lives. Unless New Zealand acts quickly and decisively will they cease to be living languages in the coming generations.

"Labour recognises the importance of Pacific people becoming highly skilled and we will fund 1,500 Pasifika Trade trainees over the next four years 

"We will bring together Pasifika community groups, the Industry Training Organisations and tertiary providers to encourage young Pasifika people to succeed.

"Labour will investigate, as part of our wider commitment to public broadcasting, the establishment of a Pasifika television channel.

"Labour will also establish a Pacific Futures Forum. This will build a new collective vision for Pacific people in New Zealand.

"We have one of the fastest growing and most youthful populations in New Zealand. These demographics affirm the role that Pacific people will play in New Zealand's future.

"For New Zealand to do well, Labour believes Pacific People must also do well. The significant role that Pacific people will play in the future social, economic and political fabric of New Zealand cannot be overstated," says Su'a William Sio.

43 Fijian peacekeepers held captive by Syrian rebels

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A Syrian rebel group has captured 43 Fijian peacekeepers from the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Friday 29 in Golan Heights after forcing them to surrender their weapons.

The Fijian Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, said on Friday that talks were under way to release the hostages and they were believed to be safe.

"I want to assure the families of the soldiers we are doing everything possible to secure their safe return," he said.

"The latest information we have is that they are safe and I can say now that the negotiations for their release have already begun."

In a statement issued by United Nations’ Secretary Ban ki Moon, he called for the immediate release of the detained peacekeepers, as well as for the immediate lifting of the restrictions on the movement of the Force.

The Security Council made a similar call in a press statement: “The members of the Security Council demanded the unconditional and immediate release of all the detained United Nations peacekeepers and called upon all parties to cooperate with UNDOF in good faith to enable it to operate freely and to ensure full security of its personnel.

“They called on countries with influence to strongly convey to the armed members of the opposition in the UNDOF area of operation to immediately release the peacekeepers.”

UNDOF peacekeepers were previously detained by armed elements in March and May of 2013 and were released safely.

“The United Nations is making every effort to secure the release of the detained peacekeepers, and to restore full freedom of movement of the Force throughout its area of operation,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York today.

Peacekeepers serving with UNDOF monitor the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war. In June, the Security Council extended the mission’s mandate until 31 December 2014.

As of 31 July 2014, there are 1,223 peacekeepers from six countries – Fiji, India, Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands, and the Philippines – serving in UNDOF.

Certification brings cheer to 27 local handicrafters

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Twenty-seven handicrafters in Nuku’alofa under a handicraft training program were awarded with certificates on Wednesday 27.

Participants and organisers gathered at Girl Guides Training Centre in Nuku'alofa for the awards which were presented by Lady Tuna Fielakepa.  

The New Zealand funded program was aimed at providing opportunities for local communities to obtain sources of income through cultural tourism activities.

The short handicraft training courses were designed to prepare participants to know how to make jewellery from local materials.

It also provided workshops to help participants to screen-print a wide range of items and to weave and make handicrafts using cultural and professional skills.

Participants, including10 men and 17 women, were also trained on customer service and tourism awareness.  

Monalisa Palu, the National Coordinator of the program, said this was a chance for local communities to obtain income for their families.

Provided under Tonga Handicrafts and Cultural Tourism Support Program, the trainers were: Sione Loseli for screen printing, Hu’ahulu Ha’unga for jewellery making and Taumosi Hemaloto for customer service and tourism awareness.

Tractors to help farmers in outer islands

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Farmers in ‘Eua and Niuafo’ou are expected to receive refurbished agricultural tractors to help them farm more lands and grow more crops.

Three of the four Massey Ferguson tractors would be taken to ‘Eua while one goes to Niuafo’ou. They will be shipped shortly.

The tractors, worth TP$128,873.71 in total, were purchased through fund donated by the people of the islands and part funded by the Tongan government through Tonga Rural Innovation Project as well as  the International Funds for Agricultural Development.

A statement from Tonga's Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries says: “ These machineries are greatly needed in ‘Eua to improve small scale farmers’ production especially as market access is a priority to the farmers to export their products.

“Farmers are also seeing the benefits of vanilla production as they worked together with Heilala Vanilla this year which the search for the tractors in New Zealand was made possible through Heilala Vanilla Company.

“Niuafo’ou has made a great impression at this year’s Royal Agriculture Show and their new tractor will give farmers a boost in their production and open new opportunities for their economic benefit”.  

Fisherman’s expertise keeps crew and boat afloat as they drift for 10 days across Pacific

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan fisherman says he signalled aircraft and passing vessels, but without any success as he and two other men drifted from Tonga to Fiji.

‘Elone Taulafo, his son Sione Taulafo and son-in-law Sofele Folau came ashore on Oneata Island in the Lau group in Fiji on August 8.

The three men went fishing at the eastern side of Nomuka in Ha’apai on July 30, but when they wanted to return to shore their engine could not be started.

Taulafo talked about their ordeal in Tongan on a 7:33 minutes video apparently recorded in Suva and uploaded to Facebook last night.

He said it was fortunate they managed to reach to shore in the last island of the Lau group before they drifted passed Fiji.

While the search was going on the three fishermen were facing strong winds and high seas. They had no food for three days. They threw items overboard and made a sail for the boat.


Video / courtesy of Siosiua Latu, Suva, Fiji

A search involving an RNZAF Orion, a Tongan navy vessel and members of the Fiji rescue team from the Rescue Coordination Centre in Suva launched for them on July 31, but was called off after five days.

While they were at sea Taulafo used his experience to keep them afloat. After the engine failed he advised the boys to throw out the anchor. The water was deep so they had to lengthen the anchor rope with fishing line.

After saying a prayer they went to sleep on their first night drifting at sea, Taulafo woke up before daylight to find the boat drifting. He woke Sione and Sofele up and they waited till daylight.

The wind became stronger as they drifted towards the east, but then they spotted the MV Niuvakai. They burnt clothing to make a smoke signal, but the Niuvakai apparently did not see them.

The next day they saw the MV Pulupaki and made another smoke signal, but the vessel apparently did not see them either.

As the wind became stronger Taulafo fear they might strike Hakaufisi reef.  

They managed to bypass the reef, but the waves became  stronger and stronger. ‘Elone told the boys to throw out another anchor on the port side of the boat as a sinker to keep the boat inclined to the left to avoid big waves from coming inside.

On midnight the next day he felt the anchor touch an underwater reef and directed Sione to cut the anchor.

The three men attempted to re-start the engine on August 1 when they could still see Tofua Island. They managed to get it going, but after 30 minutes it cut out again and could not be re-started.

“We could not do anything other than just pray and keep on baling seawater out of the boat,”  he said

They spotted the Tongan naval vessel Voea downwind of them while drifting west. Taulafo said it turned towards them, but did not see their boat before it disappeared towards the south. On the same day they spotted an aircraft, but again it did not see them.

For three more days they drifted until the wind began to ease.

Taulafo said that from August 6-8 they had no food and just kept praying and baling seawater.

On Friday 8 they spotted Moce Island in the Lau group in Fiji and tried unsuccessfully to get ashore. The boat continued drifting and finally arrived on Oneata, the last island in the Lau groups.

Mr Elone said if they had missed Oneata they would have ended up in the Solomon Islands.

He said they were welcomed by the Fijians in Oneata before they were taken to Suva on August 21. They are staying at the Tongan residence in Suva known as ‘Api-Tonga.

Mr ‘Elone said they had met Fiji authorities and were processing their immigration application for their return to Tonga.

The main points

  • A Tongan fisherman says he signalled aircraft and passing vessels, but without any success as he and two other men drifted from Tonga to Fiji.
  • ‘Elone Taulafo, his son Sione Taulafo and son-in-law Sofele Folau came ashore on Oneata Island in the Lau group in Fiji after drifting for 10 days.
  • The three men went fishing at the eastern side of Nomuka in Ha’apai on July 30, but when they wanted to return to shore their engine could not be started.
  • The three fishermen faced strong winds and high seas and had no food for three days.

For more information

‘Sobbing fisherman home in El Salvador after year adrift in Pacific’

‘Kiribati Fisherman Found After 106 Days Adrift In Pacific’

‘Kiribati fishermen survive a month adrift in Pacific’

Woman who threw boiling water over girl sentenced

By
Kaniva Pacific
-
A shopkeeper who left a teenage female scarred for life after throwing boiling water over her has been ordered to pay reparation of TP$300.
 

A medical report read in court says about 50 percent of Lile Netane's body was burnt after she was dowsed with boiling water.

Police Magistrate Salesi Mafi heard Netane went to Shulang Fang's store when she was in Nuku'alofa town centre on June 4.

Read more:

She was using her mobile phone when Fang, who is also known as Siu, asked her to leave but Netale ignored it.

Netane said she was surprised when Feng attacked her and she fell down. She got up and threw a cup of coffee at Feng but it did not hit her. Feng returned inside her store and Netane was shocked when Feng threw the boiling water at her.

Fang told Magistrate Mafi she had approached Netane and asked for her forgiveness and she had accepted it. She said she also had given Netane a gift of TP$200.

Magistrate Mafi said he considrerd the fact that Netane started the incident and that Feng had already sought her apology and also compensated her.

The police magistrate told Fang she would have to pay the money to government at the court office within one month or she would be jailed for a week.

Featured photo/ Kakalu 'o Tonga Newspaper

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