National Fisheries Authority (NFA)

NFA has set ambitious targets to increase export values across various seafood categories, including crab, prawn, lobster, reef fish, and seaweed. Notably, a focus is placed on enhancing the tuna fishery.

NFA will work together with the Growth with Equity in Vidar (GEV) after signing the MOU. As part of the MOU the concerned communities will benefit in terms of social development and awareness during the initial progress of the project.

The GEV Foundation is a Catholic-based organization in Madang steered by Madang’s Archbishop Anton Bal that have been advocating for change and development for the impacted population in Vidar along the North Coast road.

This move will help to enhance Papua New Guinea's fisheries sector. The signing ceremony, which took place this week, marked the initiation of the NFC Waterfront Facilities Redevelopment project.

The signing of the Minutes of Discussions delineated the roles and responsibilities of the respective governments in the project, from preparatory survey studies to the actual construction phase, pending approval from the Government of Japan.

NFA was acknowledged after facilitating the Training of Trainers (TOT) program in ‘Know About Business in Fisheries’ (KABF). This was rolled out for the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) teachers in the New Guinea Islands region this month.

The two-week program concluded on Friday, February 16th, and was implemented through a tripartite partnership between the NFA, the National Department of Education (NDoE), and the Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) Corporation.

Minister Wong highlighted the need to protect, sustain, and grow this resource to ensure the country's prosperity.

He urged the assembled team to play an integral part in safeguarding the fisheries, preventing overfishing, and contributing to the growth of the industry.

Addressing recent challenges, Minister Wong expressed concern about urban dwellers who could be engaged in productive activities like fishing in their communities but chose otherwise. He emphasized the importance of changing mindsets and implementing programs to benefit communities and individuals.

The community is highly tenet on fishing for livelihood and over the years has ventured into partnership with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA).

This coastal village celebrated the 10^th anniversary of its local fisheries business group.

The local fisheries venture called Aimiyarong Business Incorporated is a Coastal Fisheries program that was established with the assistance of the National Fisheries Authority.

The Managing Director for The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) managing director, Justin Ilakini says these meetings/dialogues have assisted countries in the region to come together and develop common positions and strategies to ensure the sustainable management of tuna in the region.

In hosting the 8th Pacific Tuna Forum (PTF) 2023, NFA has collaborated with INFOFISH, to bring together Pacific Island Leaders, including six fisheries ministers from Niue, Nauru, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Palau, and Kiribati.

In the lead up to this forum organized by INFOFISH and the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), a media workshop is currently being facilitated in Kokopo, East New Britain Province for media personnel who will be covering the forum in September.

The workshop is currently underway at the Kokopo Beach Bungalow.

The delegation currently in East New Britain is headed by Henry Baraka - Director PMU, Office of the Deputy Chief Secretary Operations Department of President & Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) and Horta Boskey - Strategic & Liaison Officer to the Chief Secretary, Department of President and BEC.

Gulf Governor, Sir Chris Haiveta, led a delegation from the Gulf Provincial Administration to sign off the MOU with Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Jelta Wong, witnessed by NFA Chairman Laurie Williams and Managing Director, Justin Ilakini.

Mr Ilakini said the MOU have proven to be the single most effective mechanism for service delivery in the provinces.