NFA committed to developing sector

The National Business
Fishing Industry Association president and chairman Sylvester Pokajam during the PNG tuna fishing industry consultation in Port Moresby yesterday.

By PETER ESILA
NATIONAL Fisheries Authority (NFA) acting managing director Justin Ilakini says the agency remains committed to working towards the PNG Fisheries Strategic Plan for 2021-2031.
He said this in Port Moresby yesterday during the PNG national tuna fishing industry consultation.
Ilakini said the country’s fisheries sector needed to be developed into a strong, broad-based, diversified and value-adding industry that was globally competitive; domestically inclusive and functioning as a robust and sustainable source of government revenue, food and livelihood for the people.

NFA acting executive manager, fisheries management Thomas Usu during the PNG tuna fishing industry consultation in Port Moresby yesterday.

He said the key result areas of the strategic plan included: enabling infrastructure and industry operating environment; optimising government revenue; processing, value adding, employment, export earnings; international trade and market access; foreign direct investment; PNG participation and local content; food security and livelihood opportunities; research, extension support services, training, capacity building; sustainable fisheries management and healthy ecosystems; international fisheries corporation and engagements, and; evidence based policy and planning approach.

NFA’s executive manager licensing Leban Gisawa (left), executive manager aquaculture Jacob Wani and acting managing director Justin Ilakini chatting during the PNG tuna fishing industry consultation in Port Moresby yesterday.

The tuna industry consultation had representatives from government departments and agencies including the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency, Fishing Industry Association and key development partners together with senior officers of the NFA who met and spoke with managers and operators of tuna fishing fleets and processing plants.

Frabelle PNG Limited associate vice-president Dale Sacay (left) with NFA deputy managing director – technical operations – Noan Pakop during the PNG tuna fishing industry consultation in Port Moresby yesterday.

The consultation was the dissemination of government policies to ensure that the industry was well informed about new policy initiatives or changes in fisheries management, labour, immigration, vessel registration and other developments.