THE National Fisheries Authority has launched two of its plans, a 10-year Strategic plan 2021 – 2030 along with the Authority’s five-year Corporate Plan 2021-2025.
The two plans which were launched by the Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Dr. Lino Tom, Prime Minister James Marape, Managing Director John Kasu and Fisheries Board Chairman Ango Wangatau was displayed in a spectacular fashion on Wednesday, August 25 in Port Moresby.
During the launch Minister Dr Tom explained the importance of investing in the fisheries sector under the guidance of the strategic plan.
He said by the very feasible strategic plan that is anticipated to make PNG compete at the world stage in terms of the fishing industry while yet maintaining the very high standard of sustainable practises and preserving the ecosystem in a heathy state for our future generations.
Dr. Tom also said the sector over the last two decades had undergone massive transformation resulting in its contribution to the national GDP that grew on the back of the exponential growth from domestic fishing.
Board Chairman Mr. Wangatau said the strategic plan shows the full economic growth and surely will move PNG from a coastal state to a fishing state and make it the tuna capital of the world if the strategic plans achieve all its key result areas (KRA) by 2030.
PM Marape commended NFA and the fisheries sector for the launching of the plans however challenged the fisheries sector to achieve 50 percent of catches in the country and also increase the revenue to 30 percent by 2025.
“By 2025 the fisheries sector has to ensure 50 percent of catches is process in country and by the time this plan terminates we should be on our way to 100 percent processing.”
He said a review is expected in 2025 to see if the sector has achieved half of its KRAs of the fisheries strategic plan.
NFA MD Mr. Kasu who explained NFA’s corporate plan said the corporate plan is rolled out every five years to support the fisheries and marine resource 10-year strategic plan.
He said the corporate plan will enable the regulator to work towards achieving its KRA outlined in the sectoral plan which is a result of series of reviews carried out internally by the staff of NFA.
The plan is aimed at improving the conduct of NFA in terms of business and the strategic capabilities it must develop to enhance the stakeholder value.
Many will say, this should have been done long time ago, however, I believe the timing is right for the Strategic Plan to be implemented this year and into the future than for such plan to have been introduced and implemented earlier during PNG Fisheries pre-matured periods. Congratulation PNG NFA for making PNG proud. PNG is looking forward and hoping for a brighter future through increase fisheries contribution in job & wealth creation, poverty alleviation, food security etc…God Bless PNG.
Good one NFA but any updates on the harvesting of beche-de-mer?