PNG to implement new standard certification for fishing crews: Association

By DYLAN MURRAY
PAPUA New Guinea is to implement new standard certification for fishing vessel crews, says Fishing Industry Association president and chairman Sylvester Pokajam.
It launched the fairness, integrity, safety and health standard certification on Friday.
The standard certification was developed to make sure that fishing vessel crew members were treated fairly in terms of their welfare.
Pokajam said it cost US$50,000 (about K171,268) to get the certification but that it was worth the investment, as it was like buying into the premium market.
“This certification is a step forward (as) the European Union will only buy Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fish now,” he said.
“It took us a little over two years from 2018 to 2020 to attain this certificate from the MSC.
“All members of the association will now enjoy the benefits of the market.”
All association vessel are covered under the certificate.
The annual fee for the certification is US$15,000 (about K51,380).
National Fisheries Authority executive manager, licensing and information system Leban Gisawa said the standard was important in promoting best practices for fishing vessel crews, saying that labour laws needed to protect them too.
“There is a great need for existing laws to be reviewed and updated.”
Pokajam and Gisawa noted that work was needed to maintain the standard so that no member of any fishing crew under the association would be mistreated and employee codes would be upheld.