Fisheries meet seeks regional tuna control

PNG will discuss with other countries this week a regional approach to managing the tuna fishery in the area, Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Dr Lino Tom says.
Speaking yesterday on the eve of the 16th Regular Annual Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to be hosted in Port Moresby, Tom said the occasion would also help PNG showcase its leadership in Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance systems.
It also revealed its robust in-zone fisheries management regime that the country continues to advocate for its compatible application in the high seas.
Tom noted that the country was an important player in Pacific Islands and the wider Western and Central Pacific Ocean with regards to management and conservation of highly migratory fish stocks (tuna).
“Maintaining ongoing cooperation and engagements at the sub-regional, regional and international levels help PNG to safeguard its valuable tuna resource by ensuring that appropriate measures are taken at all levels to sustainably manage fisheries,” he said.
“This event will also promote the relevant development initiatives PNG is undertaking to become the main processing hub in the region.
“This is in line with the Government’s approach under the medium-term development goals III envisioning PNG to commence processing over K1 billion (worth of) tuna domestically by 2022.
“It will also provide an avenue for PNG to engage with other countries at this higher level and direct attention towards potential areas for cooperation and domestic investment opportunities,” he said.