Mao Zeming

Zeming describes late GG as ‘voice of calm’

Sir Michael passed away last weekend.

In a statement Zeming described the late Sir Michael as humble and easy going person.

“I came to know Ogio in our time as Cabinet Minister’s and as Members of the People’s Democratic Movement party.

“He was a humble person and easy to get along with. He was also fatherly figure whose counsel and advice was always relied on in Cabinet and in party room, especially when there were disagreements on policy implementation.”

Lelang calls for clarification on district grants

Lelang said he only received K3 million from the K30 million submission.

“I want the Minister to come out and inform my people where the remaining K27million has gone to.

“Who knows this money may have being diverted elsewhere.

“While I acknowledge the K100,000 given to my district for the fishing project were allocated to the people of Tamuniai area who have voting population of only 30, it is hardly seen as a significant contribution.”

Lelang condemns Zeming’s statement

Zeming in a statement on Monday said it is regrettable that Lelang decided to return to his party.

He said the people of Kandrian-Gloucester have embraced the People’s National Congress party and its values when Peter Arul (1997-2002) and David Sui (2002-2007) were members of the party representing the electorate.

However, Lelang said Zeming’s statement was sarcastic and that he does not know what he is talking about.

PNG to observe World Tuna Day starting next year

Fisheries Minister Mao Zeming made the announcement after the United Nation’s General Assembly ratified May 2 as the World Tuna Day.

“It is important that our people, particularly our children, gain more knowledge about tuna and understand the conservative measures that are in place to protect this valuable resource,” he said. 

Zeming added that “our waters  are home to 70% of the world’s tuna and with the right management and conservation mechanism in place, this resource will support our livelihood for generations to come.”

Fisheries Minister hails UN adoption of World Tuna Day

The United Nations General Assembly voted on Dec 8 to establish World Tuna Day as an internationally-recognized event.

The event initiated by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) in 2011 has now gained international ratification for the annual celebration of tuna.

Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Mao Zeming when welcoming the UN’s decision said PNG is one of eight countries in the pacific region who are members of PNA with waters rich in tuna.

Zeming calls for action to protect pacific high seas

High Seas are pockets or corridors outside of the exclusive economic zones of countries in the region, which are targeted for tuna by fishing boats from Asia and the US who consider fishing in the zones two expensive.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) based in Federated State of Micronesia is the body responsible for the management and conservation of tuna in the 17 Forum Fisheries Agency member countries.

Zeming urges coastal community to guard against illegal fishing

“The new management plan has a hierarchal structure that entails authorities at communities, local level government, and provincial level working together to protect this fishery and its ecosystem and ensure its long term survival.

“I call on Ben Micah and Gordon Wesley, my colleagues who have been outspoken on this fishery lately, to help implement this new management plan in their provinces so their people truly get the benefit they deserve.”

Zeming clarifies ban on beche-de-mer

Zeming said he was satisfied the six year moratorium on the harvest of bech-de-mer has produced the result the Government and National Fisheries Authority wanted.

“There has been some suggestions from sections of our community that the ban has forced coastal villagers to illegally fish for sea cucumber just to survive.

“Certain individuals have even gone to the media to justify, to defend illegal fishing in their waters, as if the moratorium was intended to put them out of business, or make people suffer.

NFA to conduct awareness on beche-de-mer fishery

Minister for Fisheries Mao Zeming said trials would be conducted in Milne Bay province next month (December).

“The NFA will try out the opening of the fishery under the new management plan utilizing Milne Bay province as a test case. This is basically to try out processes and systems under the new plan. We want to ensure strict monitoring and effective data systems are implemented well,” he said.

Zeming announces uplift of ban on beche-de-mer

A moratorium on the harvest of this fishery was imposed in 2009 due to its stock and specie depleting rapidly as a result of overfishing.

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) Board made the decision to lift the ban after it was satisfied from results of a number of surveys conducted that the stock has recovered sufficiently.

A new management plan approved by the NFA Board will ensure that beche-de-mer is harvested under strict conditions to protect the fishery and the ecosystem.