Bougainville Government receives K5mil grant for fisheries

FISHERIES and Marine Resources Minister Dr Lino Tom presented a cheque for K5 million as a grant on behalf of the National Government to the Bougainville government during Joint Supervisory Board (JSB) meeting in Wabag yesterday.
“National Government through NFA continues to provide annual funding of K5 million as an interim arrangement to the Bougainville government as per a JSB sesolution of July 1, 2014, in Kokopo until such time a fisheries revenue sharing formula is agreed on by the both governments,” Dr Tom said.
“It is important that these funds are appropriately used toward implementation of activities agreed under the fisheries MOU with ABG (Autonomous Bougainville Government).”
The transfer of Fisheries powers have reached a milestone with the passing of the Bougainville Fisheries Management Act 2020.
However, it is imperative that ABG gives priority to developing the regulation of this Act.
Tom reminded the ABG that key outstanding activities which included: strengthening capacity of fisheries officers, development of fisheries management plans, licensing regime and other related activities needed to be prioritised.
He emphasised that once capacity within the Bougainville fisheries office was strengthened, they could start generating their internal revenue within their three nautical miles.
In terms of benefit sharing, NFA has secured the services of MRAG Asia Pacific to assist both Governments develop parameters including options for the benefit sharing arrangement of fisheries revenue associated with Bougainville waters.