Minister warns fishing firms

FISHERIES licences must be issued to companies willing to farm and process on shore, says Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Jelta Wong.
Wong said this during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gulf government in Port Moresby on Sunday.
“From a fisheries perspective, licensing must be issued to companies that show a genuine willingness to farm and process onshore,” he said.
“We have big plans to make Gulf the prawn fingerling hub of the country, and create a revenue stream in the province.
“If Saudi Arabia can export prawns out of the desert, what is stopping us utilising our abundance to sustainably maintain a revenue stream for the people of Gulf?”
Governor Chris Haiveta refused to sign previous MoUs due to an issue with the non-detention of illegal fishing vessels found in the province.
He also wanted the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and the ministry to look at the Torres Strait Treaty which he believes does not serve the interest of the people.
The Torres Strait Treaty 1978 is an agreement between Australia and PNG on the boundaries between the two countries and how the sea zones can be used.
Wong said licensing issued to companies who applied to operate in the waters of Gulf must be issued only with the endorsement of the provincial executive council. Our role at NFA is simple – to work with the administration and the people to sustainably develop fisheries in the province.
“And this MoU is the key.”
“We have a lot of plans for Gulf province and are looking to introduce fishing programmes that promote sustainability.”