Beche-de-mer fishery opening deferred

THE beche-de-mer (BDM) fishery opening for this year has been deferred from today until further notice, according to the National Fisheries Authority (NFA).
NFA managing director John Kasu said in a statement that the decision was reached in consultation with 2018 BDM licensed operators and the office of the Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources.
He said the action was taken in compliance with the provision under the current National Beche-de-mer Fishery Management Plan 2018 G368.
“The NFA is concerned with the current status of the fishery in the maritime provinces,” Kasu said.
“Early indications from ongoing resource assessment surveys indicate significant localised depletion of stocks in certain areas where the surveys have been completed.
“Interested BDM operators, fishermen and the public are also advised that NFA will be conducting resource assessment surveys in the remaining maritime provinces to assess the status of the fishery and for appropriate science and management advice and management options to be developed for the continued sustainable utilisation of this fishery in PNG.”