B’ville needs all fisheries data and reports: Momis

By MARK HAIHUIE in Buka
FINANCIAL data on fishing catches in Bougainville must be given to the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) by the National fisheries Authority (NFA) to allow for fair distribution of wealth from the sector, ABG president John Momis says.
Momis said this was part of the terms of the peace agreement at the signing of an agreement between NFA and the ABG yesterday.
“The National Fisheries Authority must honour the National Government’s commitment to work with ABG to develop a formula so that Bougainville can get what it is entitled to under the law,” he said.
“What this means is that there must be continued and constructive dialogue from a standpoint of mutual respect.
“I call on National Fisheries Authority to honour the commitment made in the last joint supervisory body, and at previous JSB meetings, to provide financial information and data on the catches in Bougainville waters.
“It is only through the provision of this information that we can develop a fair and equitable funding formula.”
He said that Bougainville had one of the best fishing grounds in the world.
“It was only fair we receive our share of revenues generated from the sector,” Momis said.
He also stressed the need to have a sustainable fisheries sector while also protecting the marine environment for the future generations.