Authority bans use of electric spears for fishing in Western

THE National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has banned the use of stun guns or electric spears for fishing in Western.
A gazettal notice has been issued through the Fisheries Board permitting the NFA to ban the use of the equipment in harvesting tropical lobsters in the Torres Strait and Western waters.
Acting managing director Justin Ilakini said the National Fisheries Board approved the ban through powers vested in it under the Fisheries Management Act (1998).
The Gazettal Notice No.G337 prohibits all persons at all times, the use of stun guns or electric fishing spears to take or harvest tropical rock lobsters in the Torres Strait and Western tropical rock lobster fishery waters of Papua New Guinea.
The notice also prohibits the buying, processing, selling, landing, sale, receiving, possession or export of tropical rock lobsters that are taken or harvested in breach of this prohibition.
Ilakini said: “Breach of prohibition notice is an offence under the Fisheries Management Act and may subject an offender to a severe penalties.”
The prohibition was effective as of April 28.