PNG Fishing Industry Association Inc.

The FIA PNG team is represented at the Industry FIMS (iFIMS) workshop currently held at the Dusit Thani Hotel Manila, Philippines, and is led by the Chairman and President- Sylvester B. Pokajam, accompanied by the CSR and Sustainability Director- Marcelo Hidalgo, MSC Coordinator- Alice (Nialangis) Posanau and VMS and Traceability Officer- Stephanie Pokajam.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in previous years, this is the first face-to-face workshop FIMS Inc has held with its Industry partners since 2019. Representatives from the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Global Fishing Watch, WCPFC commission, and Fishing companies also attended this workshop.

Marcelo Hidalgo commented, “In a two (2) days workshop, we learned about iFIMS updates and development enhancing ETP data collection, FADs tracking new features including library support for types of FADs, information overview for purse seiner and long liner data collection, industry web portal and authorities controls e-Forms and e-Reporting is enhancing across fleets in the PNA countries.”

This workshop is geared to enhance the capability of our industry and is an important part of FIA’s activities through the use of iFIMS for the MSC Certification scheme where traceability and real-time reporting is a value-added component.

FIA PNG is underway with the MSC Lobster assessment carried out by SCS Global through a stakeholders consultation meeting held at the Stanley's Hotel from 13th-14th Feb, 2023 and a follow on on-site visit from 15th -16th Feb at the Daru Island in Western Province for the Torres Strait Lobster fishery as the home of the priced Tropical Rock Lobster. , ,

FIA PNG key take away from the regional dialogue on human dimensions/GESI of the Pacific Tuna fisheries held in Fiji islands from 6th-8th Feb, 2023 is relevant knowledge gained by the Corporate Social Responsibility and MSC officer, Ms. Clare Tutuana of FIA PNG who was keen to share, "We should aim to make human rights that include GESI to be socially responsible and socially accountable inorder to be free of all forms of discrimination against any human being when addressing Human Dimensions of Pacific Tuna and the work involved in the value chain which is a significant part of having an industry that must work towards the fundamental and key element that promotes the Corporate Social Responsibility best practices to reach premium market acces."
FIA CEO, Donald Papaol, further stated, "It should be easy for us since it's already part of our RSP. All we have to do is just incorporate it in our Social Accountability & Human Rights, in addition to crew welfare onboard which is a complex issue but we at FIA are already tackling it. Crew welfare and safety have been a complex issue due to the nature of their job and the location out at sea where no one gets to inspect. For Gender, etc. (GESI) should be easier as we are dealing with human beings on land. Indeed forming a distinction enables better application of CSR through social responsibility and social accountability for safer conditions of workers and the greater benefits for workers."- by Clare Tutuana -CSR & MSC Officer FIA PNG.

FIA PNG’s presentation at the IOM and FFA joint workshop held in Nadi, Fiji Islands, is testimonial of its commitment to upholding the welfare and safety of all its crew.
CSR & MSC Officer, Clare Tutuana, representing FIA PNG, was passionate in her delivery on this topic and the importance of addressing issues surrounding social accountability and human rights welfare among the fishers and crew member which can be IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fishing if left unchecked.

FIA PNG was part of the USAID, OurFish OurFuture inception workshop through the implementation partner WWF PNG at the Stanley Hotel, on 8th December, 2022. The Project is earmarked for five years from (2021-2026), a $15 million regional project that aims to address the social and ecological drivers of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing that are degrading coastal fisheries and biodiversity, and negatively impacting local livelihoods.

This is in line with the approaches FIA PNG is taking with its Responsible Sourcing Policy (RSP) through the SeafoodMAP program that help to accelerate sustainability in small and artisanal fisheries and the aquaculture sectors. Measuring and Accelerating the Performance of the Global Seafood Supply is the core of the program. Since 2021, FIA PNG has joined this program with several species like Lobster for fisheries and Tilapia for Aquaculture. FIA PNG aims to use the Seafood MAP to expose PNG fisheries and aquaculture to global markets, accelerate partnerships, and improve compliance with technical requirements so they can move towards sustainable and socially responsible certifications. By 2023, we aim to move into programs for trout, mudcrab, and probably seaweed.

USAID enhances support for fisheries The US government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is increasing its support to the fisheries sector in Papua New Guinea through its new project, OurFish OurFuture.

The Supply Chain Companies who are members of the Fishing Industry Association (PNG) Inc., Call on the WCPFC to Urgently Adopt and Implement Management Procedures (Harvest Strategies) supported by Harvest Control Rules for Tuna Stocks

The undersigned Association, representing fishing and processing companies in Papua New Guinea, have made commitments to sourcing seafood responsibly, including tuna from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). Further, we recognize that the adoption and implementation of comprehensive precautionary management procedures (harvest strategies) is fundamental to effective long-term management of tuna fisheries in the WCPO.

Of primary importance to us is that the WCPFC accelerates the adoption and implementation of comprehensive, precautionary management procedures. We appreciate that the major tuna stocks in the region are currently not overfished stocks or nor is overfishing occurring. To ensure this status is maintained we are calling on the WCPFC to:

Adopt and implement without delay a management procedure for skipjack in 2022;

Adopt Target Reference Points and continue to develop management procedures for bigeye and yellowfin; and,

Agree on a revised work plan for setting a comprehensive, precautionary harvest strategy for South Pacific albacore in 2023

The importance of Harvest Srategy in the Pacific - 2022 60% of the global tuna catch is from the Western and Central Pacific. The four tuna status is reported to be on healthy status (2022 WCPFC report). However, ...

The Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG) doesn’t just want to fish sustainably – it wants to be at the forefront of sustainability globally.

Papua New Guinea striving to be at forefront of seafood sustainability movement | SeafoodSource The Pacific Island nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG) doesn’t just want to fish sustainably – it wants to be at the forefront of sustainability globally.

The President & Chairman of the Fishing Industry Association (PNG) Inc., Mr. Sylvester Barth Pokajam, its members, and stakeholders join the people and the Government in celebrating the 47th Independence anniversary of our beloved country, Papua New Guinea.....May God Bless PNG!

FIA (PNG) Inc. Congratulates Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Jelta Wong, MP

On behalf of The Fishing Industry Association (PNG) Inc., its Members and Stakeholders, the President & Chairman, Mr. Sylvester Barth Pokajam, extends our warmest con- gratulations to Hon. Jelta Wong, MP, on your appointment as the Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Fishing Industry Association (PNG) Inc. Congratulates Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources,Hon. Jelta Wong, MP We wish to assure him that he has the full support and backing of the Fishing Industry Association and all its associated members. We shall work closely with the Honourable Minister by providing accurate industry market information to guide the Government to enable us to achieve our aspiration and ensuring that good governance is maintained at the national level.

FIA PNG strongly supports the Marape Government in taking back PNG as our Government strives to fully involve and support the participation and inclusion of PNG in the fishing and processing business. The policy on building basic and appropriate infrastructure such as fishing

ports, having affordable and readily accessible utilities such as water, electricity and communication are vital for the growth of the industry and to foster interest amongst many individual groupings and businesses both within and outside to look at fisheries investment opportunities in PNG.

We wish you much success in your new post and look forward to the pleasure of working with you to strengthen the Government and Private Sector Partnership in developing our fishing and processing industry in PNG.

Congratulations, Hon. Jelta Wong, MP, Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Mr. Sylvester Barth Pokajam
President & Chairman
The Fishing Industry Association
(PNG) Inc.

PNG Fishing Industry Association Congratulates Prime Minister Hon. James Marape (MP)

The President & Chairman of Papua New Guinea’s Fishing Industry Association (FIA), Sylvester Barth Pokajam, congratulates Honourable James Marape MP, elected unopposed as the Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, and Honourable Job Pomat MP, elected unopposed as the Speaker of the 11th Parliament. Our best wishes to all the members of Parliament both in Government and Opposition who have been re-elected or elected for the first time as members of Parliament.

The FIA strongly supports the Marape Government in taking back PNG as our Government strives to fully involve and support the participation and inclusion of PNG in the fishing and processing business. The policy on building basic and appropriate infrastructure such as fishing ports, having affordable and readily accessible utilities such as water, electricity and communication are vital for the growth of the industry and to foster interest amongst many individual groupings and businesses both within and outside to look at fisheries investment opportunities in PNG.

Attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has stalled since 2013 due to inconsistent and sudden shift in Government policy after Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s regime. In fact, between 1998 and 2013, six new tuna-processing plants were built in PNG, but investment has been stalled since then. WHY?

The FIA also refutes the claim by so called ex ternal advisors and experts that attracting investors is not the main problem. It is not just investment but finding the right investment. Investors must be enticed or attracted to invest where there is a win-win situation for both parties:

Fishing operators invest in processing to gain license concession. This is a conventional global practice that rewards frontrunners for investing substantially in developing the local industry and the sector.

Processor to invest not fishing operators to invest. This is a situation where a processor is able to put in place additional shifts in its processing operation as a result of the expansionary government policy where the negative impacts are reduced.

At this juncture, the FIA is happy that the Prime Minister continues to support the PNG aspiration to make PNG the tuna capital of the world, a feat that is not impossible under your leadership. This is a quest we planned for after we were able to negotiate a Tariff free access to the EU. As the former Managing Director for NFA from 2004 to 2014, we have seen the rush of serious proposals for on-shore investments. Frabelle PNG Ltd, International Food Corporation Ltd, Nambawan Seafood Corporation Ltd, Majestic Seafood Ltd were established in Lae, in addition to RD in Madang and South Seas Tuna Corporation Ltd/FCF in Wewak.

Unfortunately, two other investors who had already acquired land in Lae, signed project agreement with the State in 2013, but did not continue due to sudden change in Government Policy. Majestic being partly owned by the two world players in the tuna processing industry, Thai Union Group of Thailand and Century Pacific Food Inc of Philippines, the former being the biggest tuna processor in the world and the latter biggest in the Philippines. Our current tuna industry players and Majestic helped boast our export to EU markets.

Cost to operate a processing facility in PNG that competes in the world continues to be a big challenge. Ideal set up should be an entity doing fishing and processing at the same time ensuring supply of tuna for processing and the flexibility to market its products so that it can reduce the impact of high cost.

FIA was also able to secure a reputable Marine Steward Council (MSC certification scheme) ECO label for PNG. There is a lot more work to do. We shall work closely with the Prime Minister and his Government by providing accurate industry market information to guide the Government to enable us to achieve our aspiration.

Another issue with the current Government policy is the higher prices it charges for the country’s vessel-day scheme (VDS), which governs its tuna-fishing sector. From hard facts, other Pacific nations are charging USD 6,000 to USD 7,000 (PGK21,700 – PGK25,300) for daily access for their domestic fleets, but in PNG, the cost is USD 10,500 (PGK38,000) daily. Investors that would like to invest in PNG look for competitive cost of license and the VDS is a scheme PNG can use to attract both local investor and FDIs.

In late February 2022, the number of tuna purse-seiners flagged to Papua New Guinea had dropped significantly as a result of the higher prices. More PNG flagged vessels are reflagging to other Pacific countries, especially Nauru and FSM (Federated States of Micronesia). Since 2019, a total of 28 vessels have moved to reflag to FSM and 9 reflagged to Nauru. These two countries offered discounted vessel day scheme fees and facilitated access for vessels to fish in the Eastern high seas pocket. Only a dozen purse-seiners remain flagged to PNG. The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is very much aware of this dilemma and have stated that the country needed “conducive policies in place to attract vessels to carry the PNG flag and fish in the country’s fishing zones.”

In addition, the FIA also shares the same sentiments as expressed by “The Farmers and Settlers Association Inc.,” that the Government should not get involved directly in the industries whether it be fisheries, forestry and downstream processing of precious metals which is something that should be discouraged at the outset. Past experiences have shown the many failed ventures that the Government had been involved in and therefore the Government should concentrate more in supporting domestic PNG private sector entities and FDIs through an expansionary fiscal policy.

Having said that, may I wish the Honourable Prime Minister, James Marape MP and his Government, the Honourable Speaker, Job Pomat MP and the rest of all the members of Parliament the best in serving our country and our people. May God bless Papua New Guinea.

Fishing Industry of Papua New Guinea, (FIA PNG) is moving mountains to the seas.

PNG Fishing Industry Association on LinkedIn: #msctuna #sourcing #sustainable In June 2022, our FIA PNG team had an amazing trip across Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, and Rabaul. Providing workshops about SeafoodMAP Tilapia aquaculture...

The Fishing Industry Association, PNG (FIA PNG) is a voice for Small Scale fishers both men and women as we try to address gender equity issues in the fisheries sector.

Fisher Voices: Clare Tutuana - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Clare Tutuana, MSC Scheme Officer, Fishing Industry Association in Papua New Guineawww.fia-png.com