Tuna Industry looking into hit K200 billion by 2030

National Fisheries Authority is also looking into increasing the volume of Exports in the Tuna sector to meet government's K200 billion target by 2030.

They are looking into increasing Tuna catch, landing export as well as increasing the number of PNG Flagged purse seine vessels and also looking into increasing production in downstream processing.

Managing Director of National Fisheries Authority Justin Ilakini said the tuna industry has evolved from licensed harvesting by international fishing vessels and now includes in-country production and canning operations. 

He said despite less percentage of tuna catch processed onshore, they want to increase the volume by 150,000 metric tons this year and further looking into process 50% of catch within PNG by 2025.

"There are markets access available over the years for Tuna export in European markets and Singapore. We have tried and its massive,"Ilakini said.

Mr Ilakini said the NFA is encouraging Papua New Guineans to own more fishing vessels that are fully licensed to fish tuna in PNG waters.

"We have over 100 fishing companies owned by Papua New Guineans and will encourage more of it," Mr. Ilakini added.

Meanwhile, the recently signed MoU between the state and RD Tuna Canning for downstream processing in the Pacific Maritime Industrial Zone [PMIZ] in Madang is also seen as the way forward to enhance downstream processing as well as creating more employment for nationals.

It will also create a pathway for local fishermen, and it is a potential economic zone to maximize the volume of Tuna export when agreements between the state and RD corporation is completed.