Authority praised for efforts to address ‘yellow flag’

 THE National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has been praised for its efforts in dealing with the “yellow flag” issued to Papua New Guinea by the European Union.

Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru said the European Union’s (EU) response to efforts made by the Government through NFA to deal with illegal fishing was positive.  

According to EU, illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries (IUU) posed a threat to sustainability of stocks and development. 

The EU supported the fight against IUU in many partner countries around the world and particularly in those that export fishery products to the union. 

In this context it had issued earlier last year, a “yellow flag” on the situation in PNG.  

Certain actions need to be taken now so that PNG maintains free access to European markets for its tuna products.

“In terms of the yellow flag, as trade minister, I want to thank NFA for the hard work, the minister and his MD (managing director) and the team at NFA,” Maru said after his return from a visit to Europe.

“I think EU is very impressed with the work and measures we have taken to address all the issues that they have raised and the indications are that if we continue on the current part of compliance, I think they will withdraw the yellow flag before the end of the year,” Maru made the comment following his return from a two-week trade and investment mission to Europe. 

“It will mean that Papua New Guinea is complying and that EU is very, very happy with us especially in the area of illegal fishing.

“We (Papua New Guinea) are working very hard, through NFA, to make sure that the Europeans are happy.”

He added that Europe was the market that allowed PNG to sell to which had enabled the growth of the fisheries sector in the country.