Manus MPs support fisheries hub idea

Leaders of Manus Province are supporting the Government’s idea of establishing a fisheries hub in the Province.

Speaker and Manus Open MP, Job Pomat, along with Manus Governor Charlie Benjamin, threw their support behind the announcement made by National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, who visited the Province last weekend.

Maru was accompanied by a high level delegation which included the European Union Ambassador to PNG, Ioannis Giogkarakis-Argyropoulos.

Pomat said if the Solomon Islands had a cannery on a remote island far from the capital Honiara, why not Manus.

Currently, the fish caught in the waters of Manus is sent abroad and none of it is processed locally. One of the country’s best fishing grounds is located some two to three hours’ steaming time from N’Drahukei, which is the proposed site for the hub on the West Coast.

Governor Benjamin wants the proposed fisheries hub to become a reality.

Minister Maru said during his visit that it would make sense if a processing plant was set up there to attract not only PNG flagged fishing vessels but many other vessels that are fishing in the high seas to come to Manus for their supplies.

“It would bring businesses to Manus where anglers can buy water, shop for goods and they can come for rest and restoration in Manus, which is very close to the fishing grounds,” he said.

The Government will look at engaging an independent consultant to conduct a feasibility study on the viability of the project.

 

 

 

Author: 
Cedric Patjole