Fisheries authority attends seafood trade fair in Spain

THE National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has participated in the world’s biggest seafood trade fair held in Barcelona, Spain, which featured more than 2,000 companies from 89 countries around the world.
In a statement released by the authority, NFA’s participation in this global seafood exposition was important for Papua New Guinea’s fisheries sector to promote and sell the country’s seafood products, processing equipment and services to leading buyers from around the world.
It further promotes the government systems and technologies that has been developed and adopted over the years to ensure PNG seafood and fisheries resource are managed sustainably, and for the economic benefits of the country and international consumers.
NFA has developed a web-based platform to store and supply information about the country’s fisheries resources.
The system that is in place is not restricted to just a few fisheries products but available to all seafood products.
It is able to perform the traceability of fisheries resources from net to plate. The Integrated Fisheries Information Management System (IFIMS) manager David Karis on behalf of the fisheries sector said the system was now recognised by fish traders and international non-government organisations specialised in seafood supply chain technology.
He said the Government through NFA was also embarking on developing a platform for small crafts and coastal fisheries information management system to connect, protect and empower local fishermen.
The system will also create market opportunities as well as providing traceability for small scale fishing operations in PNG.
The PNG Fishing Industry Association and the industry representatives participating at the expo acknowledged NFA acting managing director Justin llakini for allowing the authority to participate and the support provided during the global seafood exposition. The global Coronavirus pandemic has affected trade but the expos has set the stage again for the fisheries sector in PNG to continue to expand.