Govt urged to reconsider decision

By GYNNIE KERO
THE PNG Fishing Industry Association (FIA) has urged the Government to reconsider its decision to restrict fishing and carrier vessels from using ports of entry.
The Government last month advised airlines and ships that people originating from Asian ports would be restricted from entering the country.
Ports selected for quarantine purposes are Lae, Rabaul and Port Moresby.
Immigration and Border Security Minister Westly Nukundj said the preventative measure was to ensure the spread of the coronavirus was controlled.
But association president and chairman Sylvester Pokajam yesterday said the National Fisheries Authority should have been consulted before the decision was made.
Pokajam said fishing vessels were usually out at sea and did not carry passengers such as carriers which called into ports in Wewak, Madang, Lae and Rabaul.
He said the NFA also had the capacity to monitor fishing and cargo ships. The country’s tuna industry is worth US$1.5 billion (K5bil).
“We have received advice from the Government that ports of destination for quarantine are Lae, Rabaul and Port Moresby. But not many boats fish around these areas, especially Port Moresby.
“Most commercial fishing takes place up in the north, the Bismarck Sea down to the Solomon Sea and bit of the Coral Sea.”