Authority to monitor fisheries observers using wristbands

By GYNNIE KERO
FISHERIES observers on vessels will wear wristsbands to monitor their movements and locations when out at sea, according to the National Fisheries Authority (NFA).
This follows concern raised over four locals still missing at sea since 2008 while assigned as observers on fishing boats.
Fisheries Minister Patrick Basa told Parliament recently that the NFA would look at safety measures such as wristbands to be issued to observers.
There are about 272 observers in the country.
The authority says the purpose of having an observer programme is to collect and report on reliable and accurate information for science, management and compliance purposes.
The observer programme is one of the five units under the Monitoring Compliance and Surveillance division of the NFA.
Business Group executive manager Gisa Komangin said: “We are looking at it (safety concern) regionally.
“It’s not driven by Papua New Guinea alone.
“If it was to do with Papua New Guinea alone, we would have dealt with it long time ago.
“National Fisheries Authority is also trailling placing two observers on a vessel.”