Lihir takes on commercial fishing

 By JEFFREY SIMON

COMMERCIAL fishing has found a new foothold in the waters of Lihir in Namatanai, New Ireland.

Last Saturday, November 21, the fishing vessels Cathy Wren and Leilani berthed at the Londolovit wharf with 10 tonnes of fresh fish to sell.

The vessels had been out at sea for three weeks after obtaining their fishing licence from the National Fisheries Authority on October 28.

National Catering Services, suppliers of catering and accommodation services to the Lihir gold mine project and its stakeholders, bought 1.45 tonnes for its facilities at Camp One and Camp Four. Lihir Fish Sales and Marketing Ltd of Masahaet Island owns the fishing vessels.

Local owners said the venture was in line with the Lihirian dream of self-reliance and financial independence, investment concepts being driven by the Lihir Mining Area Landowners Association.