‘Effectively Managing Our Fisheries and Marine Resources for Sustainable and Equitable Benefits’

Papua New Guinea Moves Towards Full Domestication of Tuna Fisheries Sector

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is set to launch a Tuna Domestication Strategy and an updated National Tuna Fisheries Management Plan in the first half of this year, aiming to consolidate sustainable management and development of Papua New Guinea's (PNG) tuna fisheries sector.

A key consequence of this strategy, according to NFA Managing Director Justin Ilakini, will be a reduction in bilateral fleet operations.

Ilakini clarified that the current practice of bilateral fleets processing catches offshore will be phased out through a "transitional process" outlined in the Domestication Policy.

"This transition is already underway," Ilakini stated. "Each year, an increasing proportion of our fish will be caught and processed onshore."

The NFA anticipates a progressive increase in onshore processing, moving beyond the current expectations of 10% landings from locally-based foreign vessels and 25% from business-led vessels.

"We must consider the realities of fishing operations and our infrastructure capabilities, allowing for transitional infrastructure measures to take effect," Ilakini emphasized. "However, it is clear that bilateral fleet activity will be reduced."

He reiterated, "As we transition to full domestication, bilateral fleets, those operating under foreign flags in PNG waters, will be reduced."

"Currently, all fish caught by bilateral vessels are processed offshore. However, under the domestication policy, we are shifting our focus from maximizing resource rents to promoting locally-based foreign vessels and business-led vessels."

"We will not continue to solely prioritize revenue collection indefinitely. Locally-based foreign vessels and business-led vessels will be prioritized and supported to increase onshore processing."

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