Villagers give land to boost fishing and tourism opportunities

THE Buingim and Eeh villagers in Labuta, Nawaeb, are promoting village tourism by giving land for the training of people involved in fishing and tourism in Morobe.
Morobe Fishery Cooperative Association (MFCA) chairman Mangom Wape said the gift is part of the work by the association, Morobe Fisheries Management Authority (MFMA) and National Fisheries Authority (NFA) are doing to develop the potential of fishing in coastal villages.
Wape took association officials Rimas Martin and Kepi Dau and fisheries authority media officer Jack Sesiguo to the site at the weekend.
The landowners and elders confirmed that land at Walu Point and Daikwang Lagoon have been given.
Wape and landowners chairman Ketambing Tasong said the land at Walu Point will be used for training in tuna fishing using traditional methods.
Daikwang Lagoon will be used for breeding prawns, eels, carps, tilapia’s and shellfish.
Wape is not happy that companies, shops and government institutions are not buying fish from local fishermen, forcing the sale of fish, etc, on the streets in Lae at prices that are not economical. “Hence MFCA has secured a storage facility at Namasu for 28 local fishing cooperatives to sell their catch then MFCA will sell to interested consumers and clients” Wape said.
Meanwhile, the village tourism programme involves a series of cultural activities which promote traditional fishing methods, theatre arts, contemporary music, drama, traditional singsings, diving, camping and sailing.
Wape said the villagers will be trained to gain skills in tourism and hospitality to enable them to look after tourists and experience village life.