THE National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and the Iceland Ocean Cluster have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on sustainable fisheries value creation, seafood innovation, and ocean cluster development.
NFA Managing Director Mr Justin Ilakini said the agreement follows a recent visit by Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Hon. Jelta Wong and NFA representatives to Iceland, where they explored Iceland’s experience in the full utilisation of marine resources and the 100% Fish approach.
He said the MoU would provide a framework for both organisations to exchange knowledge and explore practical opportunities to increase the value derived from PNG’s fisheries resources sustainably.
“Through the MoU, both organisations will work together on knowledge exchange, 100% Fish and full utilisation opportunities, cluster development, and practical ways to sustainably increase value from PNG’s fisheries resources,” Ilakini said.
The collaboration will also connect with wider regional discussions in the Pacific and beyond on the development of the Global Ocean Cluster community.
Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s major tuna-producing nations, and fisheries play a central role in the country’s economy, food systems, and coastal communities.
The collaboration comes at a time when Pacific Island countries are exploring new ways to strengthen resilience, increase domestic value creation, and respond to changing ocean conditions.
The Iceland Ocean Cluster has worked for more than a decade to connect companies, researchers, entrepreneurs, and public-sector actors to promote the better use of marine resources.
Its 100% Fish initiative has helped demonstrate how side streams and underutilised parts of fish can be transformed into valuable ingredients, products, and business opportunities.
“Tuna fishery side streams are a source of untapped potential raw material to create sustainable value for Pacific Island nations, and this collaboration with
National Fisheries Authority (PNG) is an important step towards greater utilisation,” said Dr Alexandra Leeper, CEO of the Iceland Ocean Cluster.
Ilakini said the partnership would seek to adapt Iceland’s experience and expertise to the Pacific context. “This collaboration with the Iceland Ocean Cluster seeks to leverage Iceland’s expertise and adapt it to the Pacific context, supporting the East New Britain initiative’s goal of enhancing value addition in the fisheries sector through innovative approaches for the benefit of our people,” he