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Provincial & Industry Liaison

The Provincial and Industry Liaison Group is responsible for developing and facilitating strong links and regular consultation between NFA and both the commercial fishing industry and provincial and community fishery stakeholders. In particular the group has primary responsibility for promoting and facilitating the development of commercial and community fisheries by providing information, contacts and advice in areas such as business management, markets and fisheries resources, and access to donor or other development funding. It leads access negotiations with foreign deepwater fishing nations and coordinates participation and policy issues for bilateral and multilateral fisheries arrangements. The group undertakes public relations and information dissemination activities that ensure effective communication between NFA and its stakeholders and promotion of NFA activities.

• Acting on behalf of the Government in relation to any domestic or international agreement relating to fisheries, including access agreements and fisheries management agreements
• Liasing as appropriate with provincial & local level governments, district authorities and communities regarding fisheries development and other issues
• Liasing as appropriate with agencies and persons, including stake holders, industry, government agencies, regional, international organisations & expert, whether local or foreign
• Keeping customers and stakeholders informed on fisheries issues, development opportunities, the role of Provincial & Industry Liaison and the activities of NFA

• provide regular update of news and events on NFA's operations and functions with the intent to exude a positive corporate image to its important stakeholders like the government, the industry, investors, international clients and the general public
• assist existing and potential fisheries operators prepare business plans for developing and improving their businesses by providing templates and useful contacts
• provide a forum or an avenue that is responsive to addressing issues of concern raised by NFA, fishing operators and the general public amicably with concern persons and authorities
• facilitate investment interest from both domestic and overseas investors by making available useful commercial fisheries investment information and regulatory considerations with close consultation with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), relevant government line agencies, provincial administration and the industry
• undertake regular collation of industry data and information to assist in sector and company profiling, substantiation of marketing and promotional initiatives and investment advise
• provide necessary support to Fisheries Management Managers in facilitating and organizing consultations and forums with operators and relevant stakeholders in the respective fisheries
• provide advise on funding to both commercial and community base fisheries with the purpose to assist proponents improve their chances of sourcing funds
• ensure that PNG seafood companies comply with quality standards and maintain access to European markets through a regular audit program
• encourage Carrying out inspection of all new vessels and processing operations applying for licenses to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards is achieved
• in close consultation with the Audit Unit of NFA, provide to seafood companies updated information on sanitary, phytosanitary standards, quality requirements and export market requirements that pertains to effective market access
• provide up to date marketing information on pricing, buyers and sellers, distribution channels, fishery products and other related information and data affecting market conditions in both domestic and international markets
• assist and promote export capable seafood companies to gain more international exposures with the aim to allow better understanding and appreciation of world market requirements and standards for fish exports
• facilitate projects that contribute to expanding current fish export product lines and in the process encourage new processing technologies that will upgrade the processing sector
• understanding the needs, requirements and resources of donors and working pro-actively with them to direct resources to areas of greatest need and potential
• working cooperatively with NGO’s to so that limited resources are best directed to support development particularly of community fisheries
• establish a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of NFA and provincial fisheries staff with the intent to avoid duplication of responsibilities and for effective allocation of resources to agreed priority activities as per the MOAs and provide NFA with a national network of contacts
• strengthen relationship with provinces by having an annual conference, regular contacts and visits and in the course of which provide relevant information, staff to provide provinces with support, update registry of contacts to boost networking, information and share ideas for development and management of fisheries and aquaculture activities
• provide training and resources to the provinces to build capacity for effective implementation of delegated functions as per the MOAs for provincial fisheries officers and other provincial fisheries personnel
• foster close working relations with key personnel in strategic government departments and line agencies responsible for provincial affairs, labour, transport, immigration and attorney general to promote create effective consultation, collaboration, consultation and concerted approaches towards addressing provincial fisheries issues and concerns
• providing education using a range of brochures, leaflets, newspaper, radio, website and other media means explaining compliance and management issues, licensing requirements, and program activities of NFA in its efforts towards promoting sustainable growth and development of the fisheries sector and industry
• understanding the needs, requirements and resources of donors and working pro-actively with them to direct resources to areas of greatest need and potential
• working cooperatively with NGO’s to so that limited resources are best directed to support development particularly of community fisheries
• producing regular brochures and publications keeping the commercial, artisanal and aquaculture sectors informed on fisheries development and investment opportunities and initiatives
• publishing a bi-monthly NFA newsletter keeping stakeholders up-to-date with NFA and industry activities