Protests against plans for large scale fishing in Marquesas

More protests are planned in the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia against plans for large scale fishing.

Earlier this month, hundreds of people in Hiva Oa marched against the project, and now another march is planned on neighbouring Nuku Hiva later this month.

This follows a government decision to allow 24 tuna fishing vessels to set up a base in the islands to catch about 3000 tonnes of fish a year.

Opponents say they want to protect their fisheries against unsustainable exploitation and keep their tourism and way of life.

In the past week, several fishermen are reported to have briefly confronted a tuna vessel from Tahiti to show their displeasure.

The fishing project, named Toa Hiva, was jointly launched by the local administrations in the Marquesas in the hope of creating 200 jobs.