National Fisheries Authority (NFA)
Papua New Guinea
‘Effectively Managing Our Fisheries and Marine Resources for Sustainable and Equitable Benefits’
THE STORY OF PMIZ (so far)
The concept of the PMIZ was first established in the early 2000 as a
practical yet momentous step forward for those Pacific Island Countries,
including PNG, whose waters contribute over 60% annually towards
the total tuna catch of Western and Central Pacific Ocean. For the
first time in many years, coastal states raised their voice as one and
demanded a greater share of the value of the tuna resource they have
cooperated to sustainably managed for decades.
It was the birth of a paradigm shift, with the focus of the region centred on the maximization of the value of the region’s shared tuna resource.
Various development initiatives were discussed amongst the coastal states, as they were in undated with an unprecedented interest expressed by development partners to develop the vast tuna resources that straddle the respective Exclusive Economic Zones (EZZ) of coastal states, especially the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands and PNG.
This resulted in PNG setting up five new tuna processing plants set up, in addition to RD tuna Canners.
Thousands of jobs were created for our people, with our womenfolk comprising 60% of the workforce. A higher percentage of our tuna werenow processed in country, with spin off benefits supporting related industries.
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Our goal to build a One Billion Kina domestic
tuna industry was achieved.
OUR POTENTIAL TO BE A
MAJOR GLOBAL TUNA HUB
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On the back of NEC Decision No. 154/2008, Papua New Guinea, through NFA
subsequently commenced an aggressive campaign at every given opportunity with
regional and development partners to promote a project that will make PNG the tuna
capital, similar to Bangkok in Thailand and General Santos in the Philippines
The project was coined the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ),
that was supported by the RD Group who remain a strong advocate for the project.
This project was to be modelled similar to the Fish Port Industrial Zone of General Santos City on the Island of Mindanao in the Philippines. (above)
We have remained committed to the concept of the PMIZ, with the project being promoted extensively since 2005. In 2015, our Forum Islands Leaders in their meeting held in Port Moresby unanimously approved the concept of a Regional Tuna Processing Hub.
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The Forum Leaders reaffirmed the central importance of increasing economic returns and ensuring the sustainable management of fisheries.
In doing so, Forum Leaders directed that increases in economic returns be achieved by 2019.
THE WAY FORWARD
Sub-division of 100 hectares out of the total area of 216 hectares has already been completed and the survey plan were successfully registered with the Department of Lands & Physical Planning.
Preliminary feasibility studies, including detailed engineering design were done with final project cost valued US$156 million.
8 years into the future, as we revise these studies, this may cost around K100m to be drawn from a an estimated K2billion as the overall cost of investment.
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(Subject to relevant assessments alongside the Treasury’s input during our planning process)
THE NATIONAL FISHERIES AUTHORITY
IS READY TO IMPLEMENT PMIZ
