PNG's EEZ is one of the largest in the Pacific, rich in skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore tuna. Photo: Francisco Blaha
Papua New Guinea (PNG) will be stepping up its fight against illegal fishing with US help through the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA).
Prime Minister James Marape made the statement on Sunday, just days after returning from a fisheries meet in the Solomon Islands.
The fisheries sector is a critical component of PNG's economy, particularly tuna, which accounts for over 55% of the world's supply.
Despite being custodians of vast ocean resources, small Pacific Island nations like PNG often face economic disadvantages due to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Marape emphasised the importance of protecting PNG's marine resources.
"Illegal fishing costs us billions in lost revenue. I call on all our partners-including the United States, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Australia-to work with PNG and other Pacific nations to remain vigilant against illegal fishing," he said.
"As large ocean states, we must ensure that our rich marine resources benefit our people and economies."
PNG's EEZ is one of the largest in the Pacific, rich in skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore tuna. This makes PNG a significant contributor to the global tuna industry, responsible for approximately 15-20% of the world's supply.
Under the DCA, PNG will enhance its capacity to apprehend illegal fishing vessels through joint maritime patrols and real-time surveillance technology. The US military will assist in bolstering PNG's ability to monitor its waters and swiftly act against unauthorised fishing activities.
"We are working with the US military to strengthen our naval and air surveillance capabilities. Any illegal fishing vessels caught in PNG's waters will be immediately apprehended," Marape said.
"We are also exploring advanced satellite technology for real-time monitoring of our waters to improve enforcement."
To further safeguard PNG's fisheries sector, the government is set to introduce a 'Fish Domestication Policy' in the second quarter of 2025. This policy mandates that all fish caught in PNG's waters must be processed locally, ensuring value addition before export.
"No unprocessed fish will leave our waters. All catches will be brought back to processing facilities in Madang, Lae, and other designated locations to create jobs, boost our economy, and maximize the benefits of our natural resources," Marape said.
As a senior member of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), PNG is also committed to supporting other Pacific Island nations in strengthening their fisheries enforcement.
Through regional cooperation, PNG will share surveillance capabilities with neighboring nations, ensuring a united approach against IUU fishing.
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed his government's broader agenda of protecting national resources, extending beyond fisheries to include forestry and other extractive industries.
Through state-led marketing strategies, PNG aims to ensure that timber and other natural resources are harvested responsibly, processed locally, and contribute directly to the national economy.
"The Government remains steadfast in its mission to protect PNG's sovereignty, enforce sustainable resource management, and ensure that the country derives maximum benefit from our rich natural wealth," he said.
