Artisanal fisheries important

By PETER ESILA  in Kimbe
NATIONAL Fisheries Authority (NFA) chairman Laurie William says while tuna has been the highest fisheries revenue earner for the country, the authority also wants to develop artisanal fisheries.
He was in Kimbe yesterday with board members to visit Mari Gold Limited, a commercial sea cucumber breeding and export facility.
“There is a big drive by the Government to push forward the fisheries sector, institutions and partners like Mari Gold which are key to the Government’s drive,” William said.
“The Government, through NFA, is embarking on a policy where people in the rural areas must be involved in the sector, whether it is fisheries, forestry or agriculture.”
He said Mari Gold had been operating for some time.
“We (board) deliberate on a lot of applications, and make decisions without being well informed,” he said.
“We will be going around a lot of the coastal areas to see investments and facilities so that when we deliberate on policy matters, we are being well informed.”
Part of an aquaculture development plan is to develop the artisanal fishery.
“Over the years, the NFA has put a lot of time and effort into developing the tuna industry. We are one of the major players in the supply chain of the tuna business,” he said.
“Whatever money we made in tuna, we have to reinvest in artisanal fisheries – aquaculture, inland fisheries, mariculture – which impact the lives of people in the rural areas and outer islands.”