FISHING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
WHY TUNA BUYERS SHOULD CHOOSE TUNA FROM FISHING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA MEMBERS
Responsible Sourcing Policy - RSP
Our commitment to responsible sourcing, sustainability, and social equity makes us an ideal choice for businesses looking to enhance their brand reputation while making a positive impact on the environment and local communities.
At FIA PNG, our Responsible Sourcing Policy (RSP) is the cornerstone of our operations, emphasizing sustainability and monitoring biodiversity impacts. We proactively address environmental concerns and take steps to mitigate negative impacts on marine ecosystems. The RSP’s pillars are
1.1 Sustainability and Biodiversity Monitoring: We monitor biodiversity impacts meticulously, ensuring our fishing practices do not harm marine life or habitats. In May 2020, our Tuna Fishery obtained the MSC certification, and we have been re-certified to hold the PNG FIA MSC tuna fishery certification until August 2031.
1.2 Social Responsibility and Crew Welfare due diligence prioritises crew welfare by ensuring fair labour practices and working conditions, aligning with international standards for human rights at sea. This relies on our Statement, which describes all the tools in place to protect human and labour rights on our tuna fleet. In February 2023, our Labor practices on board were recognised by the F.I.S.H standard that assesses living and working conditions onboard against ILO C 188 in 33 tuna purse seiners. From March 2026, we are transitioning from a group certification to individual tuna fleet certification to manage risk and monitoring in a better way for more than 50 tuna purse seiners.
1.3 Traceability and Transparency: We employ advanced traceability systems that guarantee complete transparency in our supply chain, allowing buyers to confidently trace the origins of their product. We monitor fishing trips by fishing trip based on a unique FIA PNG MSC trip number that also includes Global Dialogue on Seafood traceability GDST Key Data Elements. Our digital platform, Fishery Industry Management System (FIMS), has passed the GDST interoperability test (VERIFIED), and we are capable of digitally transferring these KDEs.
1.4 Marine litter & Ghost Gear Mitigation: Addressing the pervasive issue of ghost gear, we implement preventative measures and actively track lost fishing gear to minimise its impact on ocean health. This pillar comes hand in hand with our Biodiversity commitment, Animal Welfare commitment & Animal Welfare policy, and the MSC tuna fishery certification, but includes annual audits and public reporting of our best practices on board.
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Operational Stability and Growth
Operational Stability and Growth
2.1 Stable tuna supply: Our operational strategy relies heavily on sustainable practices, with approximately 90% of our tuna catches coming from free school fisheries annually (graph # 3). This approach not only ensures that we maintain healthy stock levels but also supports the natural ecosystem. In 2024, our catches were 268.000 MT, that represent the 18% of the global tuna catches according to the FAO.
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2.2 Environmental Efficiency and Emissions Assessment: In May 2024, FIA PNG committed to assessing GHG emissions on our tuna fleet; later in 2025, FIA PNG conducted a comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1) from our tuna fleet. The results demonstrate our operational efficiency, revealing that our methods are more effective in reducing emissions than those commonly associated with longline and pole-and-line fishing. By prioritising these advancements, we contribute not only to the well-being of the planet but also to creating a more sustainable fishing industry. See the attachment for CO2 emissions.
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2.3 Transparency Through Vessel Monitoring: We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of transparency in the fishing sector. Since 2022, our tuna fleet sharing vessel monitoring system (VMS) signals in near real-time with Global Fishing Watch, we have enhanced accountability and public trust in our operations. This level of transparency allows buyers to rest assured that they are sourcing from a fleet committed to ethical practices and the sustainable management of ocean resources.
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2.4 Ratification of the PSMA: In April 2024, the Government of Papua New Guinea ratified the Port State Measure Agreement (PSMA), further supporting efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This ratification strengthens our commitment to sustainable fishing practices and reinforces our role as responsible stewards of marine resources.
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Our due diligence under the RSP, coupled with our innovative practices, demonstrates a direct contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Partnering with the Fishing Industry Association of Papua New Guinea means more than just purchasing high-quality tuna; it represents a commitment to sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility. Our proactive approach ensures that the tuna you source contributes positively to environmental stewardship and community welfare.
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Tuna Health Stocks
Scientific assessments confirm that the tuna stocks targeted by FIA PNG—skipjack (SKJ), yellowfin (YFT) and bigeye (BET —remain in healthy biological condition in the Western Pacific Ocean (WPO), where our fleet operates.
This region is internationally recognised for sustainable tuna stock management under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). WPO is the only major ocean Version v.1.2 January 2026 – FIA PNG COO basin where the principal commercial tuna stocks are not overfished and not experiencing overfishing, reducing the risk of ecosystem-level disruption.
FIA PNG applies a comprehensive suite of sustainable fishing practices as part of its Responsible Source Policy, which collectively minimises the risk of marine ecosystem alteration.
These include gear management controls, spatial avoidance measures, observer-verified monitoring and strict compliance with regulations.
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