PNG, Phils ink MoU on fisheries projects

PAPUA New Guinea and the Philippines have concluded a wide-ranging fisheries agreement which included livelihood creation for ordinary Papua New Guineans and strategies to further access the European fish market.
The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) announced this yesterday when it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the bureau of fisheries and aquatic resources (BFAR) of the Philippines to carry out fisheries co-operation projects between the two countries.
However, it noted that certain laws, in relation to processing of fisheries products, made access to EU markets harder but hoped that the MoU would open up new opportunities
NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam said at the signing in Port Moresby the MoU gave effect to the understanding reached in the Philippines last March between Fisheries Minister Ben Semri and agriculture secretary Arthur Yap.
Mr Pokajam said yesterday’s signing paved way for aquaculture development, fish-milling, sea-caging, fish terraces in the highlands, post harvest training, market access (particularly EU market) and competency-based skills training for local fishermen and general fish processing and packaging processes.
“This is a formal arrangement to recognise what we already have and what we need to do, particularly in aquaculture because it is the next important fishery project in the Philippines and we in PNG will be moving into that soon,” he said.
“The NFA and the BFAR are both EU-accredited and competent authorities which give both countries the leverage and mandate to eliminate problems and create harmonious relationship, especially with the EU market.”
BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr, signed the MoU on behalf of the Philippines.