Government seeking better deal for PNG tuna

The Government will pursue marine stewardship council (MSC) certification of its tuna fishery, according to the Fishing Industry Association Inc (FIA).
The body, which represents the country’s fishing industry, says the fishery will encompass all tuna caught in the exclusive economic zone and processed in the country.
It said in a statement: “The FIA firmly believes that attaining the PNG-owned MSC certification will boost production, boost employment, boost spinoff businesses, export earnings, and foreign exchange receipts, thereby contributing to the overall growth in the industry’s contribution to the GDP.
“In the not-too-distant future, consumers worldwide will demand only MSC-certified caught tuna fish.
“We have a duty to protect our already-established six processing plants in PNG and give confidence to future foreign direct investors.”
The announcement followed the 13th meeting of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement in Nauru at the beginning of this month.
Fisheries and Marine Resources Patrick Basa said at the meeting that pursuing MSC certification for the country’s domestic tuna industry would “safeguard PNG’s domestic development aspirations in maximising benefits from its tuna fishery”.