FISHING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
GOVERNANCE
Governance Structure
Sustainability is embedded across all levels of FIA PNG’s governance framework, ensuring that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are implemented through clear roles, coordination, and accountability mechanisms.
The FIA PNG organigram comprises the Management Committee Board Members and the FIA PNG members, the Executive Management Team that runs the association's daily affairs, and the associated Development and Technical Working Groups.
The Management Committee Board Members have the general control and management of the administration of the affairs, property and funds of the Association. It also approves the annual work programme and the administration budget of the FIA PNG office during its annual general meeting held once a year. In addition, the Board members are required to meet regularly, at least up to six (6) times, during the year to discuss the affairs of the Association.
After evolving over the last five years, the new organisational structure aims to focus its resources on implementing our RSP for both industrial and small-scale fisheries.
The top level is comprised of the Chairman and President, Sylvester Pokajam, the Executive Secretariat, Donald Papaol, and the Chief Operating Officer, Marcelo Hidalgo. Together, they form the FIA PNG leadership team for the RSP. They provide overall direction for FIA PNG’s strategy, mission, vision, and logframe, ensuring alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as national regulations and international commitments.
The FIA PNG RSP team consists of three key coordination areas led by:
-
Stephanie Pokajam – Traceability, Chain of Custody (CoC) and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Coordinator
-
Clare Tutuana – Planning and Logistics Coordinator
-
Nialangis Posanau – Sustainability and MSC Coordinator, who oversees certification scheme systems
The small-scale fisheries technical team, formed by the Traceability, CoC, and VMS Coordinator, the Sustainability and MSC Coordinator, and the COO, liaises with the National Fisheries Authority Officers and small-scale fisheries operators.
Since 2025, the areas of crew welfare and the FISH Standard for Crew certification have been taken over by each of the FIA PNG tuna fleet members. Each member disposes of their own coordinators and internal auditors. The COO is responsible for overseeing and providing technical support to FIA PNG members.
This governance structure demonstrates FIA PNG’s engagement in ensuring transparency, accountability, and collaboration across all operational levels, linking strategic leadership with on-the-ground sustainability performance while continuously delivering tangible and measurable outcomes.
THE FIA PNG LOGFRAME
The FIA PNG logframe was established in 2018, providing a basis to assess its impact over more than five years. In 2024, it was further aligned with the ESG framework.
The logframe sets a clear pathway for building partnerships, ensuring that FIA PNG’s work is guided by internationally recognised principles of sustainable, social, and ethical fisheries.