Joint deal to promote better research

 THE National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) are jointly conducting research into the fisheries industry.

NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam said the two organisations had been working together in designing projects “that will encourage high quality research and support infrastructure development, especially in coastal fisheries for restocking, stock replenishment and ranching purposes”.

The NFA and UPNG signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to see the “collaboration further strengthened”.

They will undertake the following research:

• Habitat mapping to create reef and habitat database for Papua New Guinea that can pave the way for habitat maps to improve and enhance spatial planning and resource management;
• support infrastructure development to improve existing research facilities;
• integrated hatchery to spawn clams, sandfish and other commercial or significant invertebrates for replacing of overfished stocks;
• mangrove nursery to raise seedlings to restore degraded areas within NCD and Central to improve fish nursery grounds; and,
• Fish collection and DNA bar-coding as part of PNG’s shark resource assessment project.

He said the MOU would create opportunities for further collaboration in areas not covered.