2017 tuna meet in PNG

 THE next Pacific Tuna Forum will be held in Papua New Guinea, National Fisheries managing director John Kasu says.

He said the forum to be held in 2017 would be the sixth following the recent two-day forum concluded in Nadi, Fiji, on Wednesday.

“The next forum will be held in PNG and we look forward to welcoming you all to the forum,” Kasu said.

The recent forum had the industry looked into developments of the tuna industry in Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). 

“It looked into areas including current supply situation in WCPO, recent developments in the industry including the declining skipjack prices, strengthening of investment and investment opportunities, new management measures, industry status and updates. Consumers presented their views regarding the industry, the producers have said what they would like to see done so they could sustain their operations, while importers also presented their experiences and challenges.

Kasu did a presentation on Papua New Guinea Tuna Industry Status.

He provided an update on recent changes to the national fisheries legislation and measures taken to strengthen fisheries surveillance and sustainable management and development of tuna fisheries in PNG.

He highlight challenges and developments within PNG, especially at policy levels, as PNG positions itself as a growing tuna fishing and processing nation.

The forum was jointly organised by NFA, Fiji Ministry of Fisheries and Forests and relevant agencies in the region.