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ABOUT NFA
MISSION STATEMENT
NFA is a non-commercial statutory authority owned
by the government. As a statutory authority NFA is required to implement
government policy for managing and developing fisheries as a national
asset.
The Minister of Fisheries has overall responsibility
for policy direction in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries
Management Act 1998. The Minister is required to report provide
an annual report to the Speaker for presentation to Parliament on
the performance of NFA in terms of its functions and financial performance.
The report is also provided to each provincial government.
Fisheries are viewed by the government as a valuable
resource, which because of its renewable nature, is capable of creating
sustainable wealth for the country. To reinforce this view the Act
directs the Minister and NFA to have regard to the following objectives
and principles in respect of fisheries waters-
(a) promote the objective of optimum utilisation and
long term sustainable development of living resources and the need
to utilise living resources to achieve economic growth, human resource
development and employment creation and a sound ecological balance;
(b) conserve the living resources for both present and future generations;
(c) ensure management measures are based on the best scientific
evidence available, and are designed to maintain or restore stocks
at levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yield, as qualified
by relevant environmental and economic factors including fishing
patterns, the interdependence of stocks and generally recommended
international minimum standards;
(d) apply a precautionary approach to the management and development
of aquatic living resources;
(e) protect the ecosystem as a whole, including species which are
not targeted for exploitation, and the general marine and aquatic
environment;
(f) preserve biodiversity;
(g) minimise pollution;
(h) implement any relevant obligations of Papua New Guinea under
applicable rules of international law and international agreements.
In addition it is required that the rights of the
customary owners of fisheries resources and fishing rights shall
be fully recognised and respected in all transactions affecting
the resource or the area in which the right operates.
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