Biosecurity in Fiji

Biosecurity is the protection of the economy, environment, biodiversity and human health from the negative impacts associated with the entry, establishment and spread of organisms including pests, diseases and invasive species.

It is also ensuring Fiji has a strong export industry for our produce by maintaining existing trade markets and finding new ones.

Biosecurity is vitally important to Fiji as we are heavily reliant on agriculture and our natural environment. New pests can not only devastate our food security, but can also damage agriculture or horticultural production, forestry and tourism and affect trade in international markets.

The economic consequences of failing to protect Fiji are dire: it could affect our employment opportunities, our human health and also our traditional lifestyle which is highly treasured.

All ships and vessels travelling to Fiji need to meet a number of requirements before and upon arrival to ensure Fiji’s environment, economy and people are protected from invasive pests and diseases.

This page sets out the requirements for ships and vessels as defined by the Biosecurity of Fiji (BAF).

Yachts

Yachts and pleasure crafts are welcome in Fiji. However, international yachts entering Fiji waters are considered to be of a high biosecurity risk and are closely monitored by BAF. Hence it is important for yacht owners to be aware of the clearance procedures for yachts and other pleasure crafts.

Biosecurity Clearance Procedures

• Once in Fiji waters, the yachts should proceed immediately to the designated port of entry.
• The Master or Captain of the yacht must declare to BAF the following:
  • the destination seaport in Fiji and the estimated time of arrival of the vessel;
  • its immediate preceding port or place of call; 
  • the proposed itinerary of the vessel until it leaves Fiji;
  • the presence of any live animal or live plant on the vessel;
  • any other matter relevant to facilitating biosecurity landing clearance of the yachts that is specified by BAF.

This above declaration must be made at least 24 hours before the estimated time of arrival. The vessel master must complete a Master’s Declaration Form declaring all biosecurity risk items on board that are either restricted or prohibited.

Items to declare include:

• Foods (tinned/packed), including meat, sausages, salami, ham, poultry, eggs, milk, butter, cheese, honey etc;
• Plants or parts of plants (live or dead) including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, bulbs, flowers (fresh or dry), mushrooms, straw, bamboo or any other articles made of plant materials; 
• Animal products including feathers, fur/ skin, shells, hatching eggs.
• Animals, reptiles, fish, birds (or parts thereof ), alive or dead, stuffed or mounted; 
• Soil or equipment used with animals of any kind or that has come in contact with soil; 
• Biological specimens including vaccine cultures, blood or any other biological specimen; and 
• Domesticated pets to be bonded and kept on board the vessel at all times (cats/dogs/ birds etc).

Some of these items will not be permitted to be kept aboard the yacht for the duration of the visit in Fiji. What is allowed to stay aboard will be at the discretion of the Biosecurity Officer at the time of inspection, depending on the risk they represent.

The Master should also ensure that no refuse  containing any animal, plant, animal product or plant product is discharged from the yacht into the sea while the yacht is in Fiji. All refuse generated on the vessel is placed in a suitable leak-proof container, with a lid, and the container is securely fastened at all times and kept aboard the yacht. The refuse can only be removed from the yachts under the directions of the Biosecurity Officer.

Live animals on yachts

Yachts arriving in Fiji with live cats, dogs, pet birds etc must pay a bond as security against the dog, cat or pet bird etc coming ashore while in Fiji’s territorial waters.

The bond payment is F$1,500 which is refundable upon departure from Fiji if bond conditions are not breached. In general no animals will be permitted to come ashore in Fiji and must remain on board the vessel at all times while in Fiji’s territorial waters. Cats, dogs and other pet animals may not be imported into Fiji via yachts.

Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies not more than 12 and not less than 6 months before arriving in Fiji. One month after the rabies vaccination of the dog, it must be subjected to the Rabies Neutralization Antibody Tire Test (RNATT) with a positive result of no less than 0.5 IU per ml.

By taking these precautionary measures visitors will enjoy traversing the pristine waters of Fiji without the worry that their pets may be posing a risk to the native fauna, flora, the environment and the friendly people of Fiji.

Pet birds (e.g. parrots, finches, canaries etc) on yachts, must have been tested free of Newcastle Disease six (6) months prior to arrival in Fiji, must not have been in the waters of countries not free of Newcastle Disease without vaccination less than six (6) months prior to arrival in Fiji. Pet birds must be in locked cages at all times, and must not be brought on shore at any time.

Other species of pet animals are prohibited from entry into Fiji waters via yachts.

Vaccination certificates and laboratory tests results must be original and made available to Biosecurity Officers when Biosecurity Boarding Inspections are carried out at the first Port of Entry.

For further information or clarification please contact the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji on T: 331 2512, F:  330 5043 or E: inf…@biosecurityfiji.com.

Biosecurity Authority of Fiji Offices

Enquires can also be made in person at any of the BAF offices.

Suva Headquarters
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF)
Ground Floor Takayawa
Building, Toorak, Suva
Phone: (679) 331 2512
Fax: (679) 330 5043
Email: inf…@biosecurityfiji.com

Suva Export
Renown Street
Suva City
Phone: (679) 331 2512
Fax: (679) 330 5043

Suva Border
Suva Wharf
Suva City
Phone: (679) 331 2512
Fax: (679) 330 5043

Savusavu
Gulabdas Building
Main Street- Savusavu
Phone: (679) 995 7240

Ba
Level 1
Koronubu House
Phone: (679) 912 0121

Nadi Office
Biosecurity House
Nadi Airport
Phone: (679) 672 5092
Fax: (679) 672 0053

Lautoka Office
Reddy Diamond Complex
Marine Drive
Phone: (679) 666 5984
Fax: (679) 665 0084

Sigatoka Office
Research Station
Nacocolevu
Phone: (679) 628 2533
Fax: (679) 628 2534

Rotuma
Government Station
Ahau
Phone: (679) 889 1042
Fax: (679) 889 1040