Problems in shipping and storage mean that even during the peak last year copra export levels have remained well below potential. 2  BIS Review 141/2009  The fishing industry has also seen a subdued start to the year. This probably has more to do with domestic factors than with the global economic crisis.
The first half of the year has seen one company cease fishing activities as part of its strategy to restructure and focus on processing. Poor fishing conditions have compounded this problem and magnified the decline in catch. It is anticipated that catch will rebound in coming months as two new fishing boats come into operation.