Fish farming to benefit communities

MINE-impacted communities in Bulolo and nearby districts will soon benefit from the development of a sustainable fish farming programme initiated by the Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV).
A memorandum of agreement was signed between MMJV and the Morobe Fisheries Management Authority (MFMA) last December.
Under this public-private partnership programme, MFMA would facilitate and implement the activities in the programme.
This year, the company through its hidden Valley mine will fund K50,000 for approved projects.
The funding will also cover fish farming training, fish pond and hatchery development and fingerling distribution.
Morobe Fisheries chairman Frank Pologo said the fish farming programme would cover Watut, the Markham River and the Huon Gulf coast communities.
He said an awareness and familiarisation meeting had been scheduled for Feb 15 between the MMJV, Morobe fisheries, the district administrators, LLG managers, presidents and councilors before the initial programme begins.
An open day has also been organised for the same group to visit three established fish projects at 14-Mile, Yalu and Siliwana in the Huon Gulf.
Mr Pologo is hopeful that the programme would improve the livelihood of the mine-impact areas in Bulolo and the nearby districts.