The Fishing Industry Association of Papua New Guinea (FIA-PNG) joins the rest of the world on this occasion to celebrate World Tuna Day. In December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly voted to officially observe the World Tuna Day on 2 May of every year. It is a day to highlight the importance of conservation management to ensure that we have systems in place to prevent tuna stocks from crashing.
FIA-PNG and its members have come a long way from a humble beginning since 1991 to where it is today in promoting and promulgating policies and best business practices that ensures the long-term sustainability of our tuna stocks whilst making sure that the economic benefits continue to accrue to the country. Our fishing and processing industry adheres to meeting international standards through good governance, traceability, transparency and accountability of our tuna resources.
One of our biggest achievement in 2020 was the attainment of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification of the Papua New Guinea Fishing Industry Association’s purse-seine skipjack and yellowfin tuna fishery in early May 2020. The MSC Certification is an internationally recognized certification that re-affirms PNG as a country that practices sustainable and ecologically friendly methods of harvesting its tuna resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Archipelagic Waters (AW).
This certification will also promote a global image for PNG as ‘clean green sustainable,’ while adding value to PNG as a country that promotes a well-managed fishery resource.
In 2018 FIA-PNG committed to develop and implement its “Responsible Sourcing Policy” (RSP) upon which sits four pillars, which are:
MSC certification of PNG Tuna species (skipjack & yellowfin);
Fishery Traceability;
Marine litter & Fishing gear mitigation, and;
Crew welfare & labour onboard conditions.
These pillars, the most rigorous in the tuna industry, drive improvements across a range of fishing operation and help to safeguard the social rights, crew welfare, and safety of those who work on board and help protect marine ecosystems, sensitive habitats and biodiversity, control the use of fishing gear and mitigation of marine litter and labor conditions.
Our Pillars
The RSP pillars of the FIA-PNG are focused on undertaking policy, audit tools and work programmes in implementing our strategies:
Adopt and promote sustainable fishing practices.
Minimize environmental impact.
Ensure our members develop their employees’ wellbeing and a positive social impact along the supply chain.
Produce high quality products for a healthy nutrition.
FIA-PNG’s aim is to become the world’s best industry advocate for fisheries management and reputable business, social welfare and sustainable resources.
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