PNG Tuna markets explored beyond EU

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) in Papua New Guinea will look for alternative markets for tuna exports beyond the European Union (EU).

NFA managing director John Kasu said they were looking at markets in the Middle East, China and other Asian countries.

Kasu said PNG almost missed out on the lucrative US$1.5 billion (K4.76 billion) per annum from the export of tuna to the EU market when it was issued a yellow card (warning) in 2014.

It was based on the authority’s lack of efficiency in putting in place measures to prevent illegal fishing in PNG waters – a requirement by the EU.

“The National Fisheries Authority has invested heavily to comply with the EU requirement and the yellow card was lifted in 2015,” he said.

“However, there are a lot of activities and programmes yet to be undertaken with other agencies such as Customs, Defence Force and police.

“Recently, we had looked at illegal unregulated and unreported activities in the high seas like illegal fishing and human smuggling and have put measures in place.”

Kasu said they were now setting up surveillance and monitoring stations in Vanimo, Wewak and other coastal towns to look out for illegal activities...pacnews