Province endorses blueprint to manage, develop fisheries products

NEW Ireland’s provincial executive council has endorsed a plan on the management and development of fisheries in the province.
In a statement, the provincial government said this was because of the population growth, climate change and better incentives for certain lucrative fish species.
It was projected that by 2030, demand for fisheries would double, resulting in a decline in fish stocks.
The Fisheries Management Act 1998 (amended 2015) does not empower provinces, districts and local level governments to manage coastal fisheries and marine resources. It only demarcates the roles and responsibility of the National Fisheries Authority in terms of managing and regulating the fisheries industry.
“Section 42 and 44 of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments can empower provincial governments to manage and regulate fisheries and marine resources in the provinces,” said deputy governor Sammy Missen.
The objectives are to establish an enabling environment for effective policy and legislation management, coordination and financing, capacity development and information management and extension activities, sustainability and coastal environments rehabilitation initiatives.
In 2017, K4million was raised from sea cucumber sales by households in the province but the total allowable catch quota was surpassed.
“This unsustainable trend continues to be poorly managed by the National Fisheries Authority,” said Missen.
Missen said the management and development of coastal fisheries was an important component of New Ireland’s economic and social development.