Press Release: FIA PNG FISH for Crew Standard Group Certification Transitioning to Individual Tuna Fleet Certification
- 2 days ago
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Published on Undercurrentnews:
The Fishing Industry Association of Papua New Guinea (FIA PNG) has announced a significant change in its Fairness, Integrity, Safety, and Health (FISH) crew certification program, shifting from a group-based approach to individual certifications for tuna fleets.
The FISH standard is a voluntary, independent certification initiative assessing labour practices on wild-capture fishing vessels. It aims to ensure ethical recruitment, fair treatment of workers, and appropriate compensation.
Sylvester Pokajam, Chairman and President of FIA PNG, informed by a press release that this decision was made at the organisation’s annual general board meeting held in Manila, Philippines, in November 2025.
Marcelo Hidalgo, Chief Operating Officer, shared that until 20 of February 2026:
“Five tuna fleets have started the certification process and have already passed the central office assessment. Independent third-party auditors are currently evaluating labour conditions and living standards aboard fishing vessels at the Ports of Rabaul and Lae in Papua New Guinea. At the moment, six tuna fleets are undergoing audits, and we will soon announce the certifications individually.”
This transition comes in response to a notable increase in the association’s tuna membership, which has grown from three fleets to nine since the introduction of its Responsible Sourcing Policy (RSP) in 2018. The FIA PNG indicated that this growth, alongside limited administrative resources, necessitated a reevaluation of the existing group certification model.
With the new structure, each tuna fleet will be accountable for obtaining and upholding its own FISH Standard for Crew certification. The association believes this change will enable fleets to more effectively manage operational risks and crew welfare issues, while still adhering to the broader RSP standards. Additionally, this adjustment aims to enhance oversight and allow FIA PNG to concentrate on other crucial RSP elements such as sustainability, traceability, and the management of marine litter and fishing gear.
FIA PNG noted that individual certifications will lead to more customized risk management strategies, targeted welfare initiatives, and improved reporting to the central office. The audits conducted by third parties will give a comprehensive overview of crew welfare practices throughout the PNG tuna sector.
The current FIA PNG FISH group certificate is set to expire in February 2026 but will be rescinded earlier to facilitate this transition. Audits for member fleets are planned for January 2026, with public reports and new certificates anticipated by early March 2026.
The fleets participating in this transition include TSP Marine Industry, TPJ, Bluecatch, Starcki, Frabelle Fishing, and Fairwell Fishing, collectively operating 59 tuna purse-seine vessels.
LINK and please download it : FIA PNG office PDF document
Undercurrentnew link: https://www.undercurrentnews.com/2026/02/19/png-tuna-fleet-to-shift-from-group-to-individual-crew-certification-model/
For Press Release, please download the file below:
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