Locals are encouraged to commercialise fishing through Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) believes that fishing is the main means of providing food and income for many coastal communities.
NFA supports SMEs through the Project Development Fund (PDF) program, where fish farmers and artisanal fishermen/women can apply for funds to support their SMEs.
When applying for the PDF, all SME proposals must have been in existence for more than three years and must be 100 percent PNG owned.
NFA deputy managing director Philip Polon says for far too long, they have allowed for companies to take up their own initiatives to go into any fishing sector activity. This is widening the gap between the participation of nationals and foreigners in this sector, says Polon.
He states that under the PDF program, they’re trying to bridge the gap and encourage SMEs.
“In our program, we aim to promote participation of PNG in the fisheries sector through SMEs.
“Majority of Papua New Guineans start low so we need to start on a small scale to build their capacity,” says Polon.
SMEs in the fisheries sector also address issues affecting the coastal communities in terms of food security issues, reduction of dependence on imported foodstuff and sustainable management of marine resources.