Marine company to visit Wewak

 ONE of the largest marine products trading company will be landing its first load of tuna in Wewak, East Sepik, for processing.

The Fong Chun Formosa Fishery Company Ltd has more than 30 subsidiaries, fishing bases and shipping agents in the world to handle the service needs of its customers.

The load of skipjack tuna was harvested from Parties to the Nauru Agreement waters and certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.

The council is an independent non-profit organisation which sets a standard for sustainable fishing to ensure sustainable fish stocks, minimised environmental impact and effective management.

The company says the 290-metric tons of skipjack were from the Marshall Islands to be processed at the Wewak-based South Seas Tuna Corporation, a subsidiary company. 

Chief executive officer WH Lee said: “FCF has been a fisheries leader in the PNA region for more than 30 years. This investment advances our production and sustainable operations capabilities while adding up to 700 additional labour jobs in Wewak.”

“SSTC plans to invest US$3.5 million (K9.3m) in capital expenditures to increase its production capacity to 160 metric tonnes per day.”

South Seas Tuna Corporation’s president Mike McCulley said: “SSTC is excited to start processing sustainable fish at our PNG headquarters. 

“This environmental approach and strategic partnerships with local leaders are not only a boost to the Wewak economy. 

“The measures help ensure a sustainable and plentiful fishery for the Pacific island nations for generations to come.”