Recognition by PNG council to attract more fishing vessels

The Papua New Guinea Fishing Industry Association’s marine stewardship council (MSC) certification for purse seine skipjack and yellowfin tuna is set to attract more vessels back into the country.

With trips already taking place under the Marine Stewardship’s Council certied sustainable fishing licence, fishing vessels have already taken trips under the MSC PNG FIA president Sylvester Pokajam said local processors within the tuna industry have already liaised with companies that also have PNG vessels reflagged to other countries now showing renewed interest back into PNG waters. “Some companies took out trips fishing under the MSC trip numbers.

“Now we have got the certificate, we have got the approval, there is more interest coming in,” he said. Those companies that have left PNG and have reflagged to other countries and sh outside PNG are now coming back and there is more to come. He said of the current 62 vessels operating in PNG waters, applications of a further 10 from Frabelle have come in for processing.

“We are expecting fishing boats or companies from South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan. “With this MSC now being attained they are now coming back to sh because they are getting a bonus in the fish that is being caught so they are coming back which is good for Papua New Guinea because we are able to sell those days that we have not sold,” Mr Pokajam said.

National Fisheries managing director John Kasu, confirmed the increase in vessel applications and fishing days sold.