cheap fish

The Ministry of Fisheries is selling fresh in Nuku'alofa for as low as two and a half pa'anga, or $US1.12 per kilogramme.

CEO Tu'ikolongahau Halafihi said the initiative aimed to ensure affordable and healthy food was available.

Dr Halafihi said the six tonnes of fish were part of a 45 tonne catch from a Taiwanese operator and came under an agreement to provide part of their catch to be sold locally.

All foreign fishing vessels licensed to fish in Tonga's waters must now unload their entire catch in Tonga's ports before export.

The Director of Tonga's Fisheries Department Vilimo Fakalolo said this meant some of their catch and also the bycatch which could not be sold overseas could be sold on the local market.