NFA to fund K9mil tuna tagging project

THE National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is set to fund a major tuna tagging programme in PNG waters at a cost of US$3 million (K9 million) over three years.
And an important aspect of the programme will be the training of PNG nationals in all aspects of the work, including the use of the data in stock assessment and management.
NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam announced the programme in a statement which was released by the secretariat of the Pacific community (SPC) in  Noumea.
The programme will be part of an integrated fishery monitoring programme that includes fisheries observers, in-port catch sampling and satellite-based vessel monitoring as well as tuna tagging.
Radio New Zealand International briefly published the statement on its website yesterday.
Pokajam, in discussing the new initiative at the annual PNG fishing industry consultation last week, said: “PNG is committed to full scientific monitoring of its tuna stocks as tuna fisheries provide important revenue to PNG as well as providing more than 10,000 jobs.