Makira Mamas Turn Fish into Market Product

September 30, 2026 10:41 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Vourie Molivakoro.

Mothers who depend heavily on the sea for food and income have introduced a bottled fish product from Makira at the Vanuatu Made Trade Show in Port Vila.

The product is made by mothers from the Malalima Mamas Association in T Malakoto village on Makira Island, using reef or pelagic fish cut into small pieces, marinated in oil, salt and sweet chilli sauce, and preserved in small bottles.

The bottled fish can last for up to one and a half years before expiring.

With the sea being their main source of income, the mothers travelled from Makira to Port Vila, braving long distances, high swells and rough weather to introduce their product to a wider market.

They brought only 15 bottles to the trade show, but the product quickly attracted customers and sold out.

Within two days, the group had secured six buyers and received information that they could receive monthly orders. They exchanged contact details and email addresses with potential buyers as they explored opportunities to expand the business.

Shamina Song, one of the mothers, said labour costs would be a challenge, particularly for harvesting and preparing the fish, but it was something the group needed to manage because fishing remained their main source of income.

She said bad weather and transportation from Makira to Port Vila would also continue to be major challenges.

Despite this, the mothers said they were encouraged by the response from customers and interest from buyers.

“We are very happy because we have learned a lot of new things and we are very happy that we have buyers who have confirmed the market,” Song said. With the first batch already sold out, the mothers are now looking forward to producing more bottled fish to meet demand.

The association also displayed and sold ginger drinks and traditional handicrafts, including mats and baskets, at the trade show.