Number of PNG flagged vessels dropped: Association

THE number of Papua New Guinea flagged vessels has dropped to 12 at the end last year, according to the PNG Fisheries Industry Association.
President and chairman Sylvester Pokajam told the PNG Tuna Fishing Industry consultations held in Port Moresby that most fishing vessels had reflagged to other countries in the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA).
“More PNG flagged vessels are reflagging to other PNA countries, especially Nauru and FSM (Federated States of Micronesia),” Pokajam said.
“Since 2019, a total of 37 vessels reflagged to Nauru and 28 reflagged to FSM.”
Pokajam said these two countries offered discounts vessel day scheme fees and facilitated access for vessels to fish in the first Eastern Indonesia fishing zone.
National Fisheries Authority (NFA) acting managing director Justin Ilakini told The National earlier that the country needed conducive policies in place to attract vessels to carry the PNG flag and fish in the country’s fishing zones.
Ilakini said this would help the country build an effective fisheries industry.
He said the number of PNG-flagged vessels had decreased over time which was a challenge which NFA was looking to address.