Expansion of fish processing in PNG

The European Unions duty free arrangements are helping Papua New Guinea (PNG) to become one of the world's leading fish processing nations. Specialising in tuna, PNG aims to become a powerhouse by processing a larger catch and encouraging other Pacific nations to send their fish to its canneries.  At present 60 percent of the world's tuna is caught in the Pacific and, over the past decade, fish processing has become a major employer in PNG. 



However, according to PNG's National Fisheries Authority managing director, Sylvester Pokajam, the eight tuna-rich Pacific Island nations, known as the PNA group, have struggled to bring jobs onshore. In an interview with Radio Australia, Mr Pokajam said he wanted to improve the situation 'We are looking at the fishery within the PNA of about 1.2 million metric tonnes sustainably harvested every year', he said. 

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We want to also extend our call to the Pacific, especially the PNA countries, to earn more from their resources rather than just relying on the access fees so we try to develop in that are to see how we can all work together as one group to benefit together.' Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers