National Fisheries Authority under the Ministry for Fisheries & Marine Resources presented a cheque of K5million as fisheries grant on behalf of Papua New Guinea’s National Government to the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
The National Government through NFA continues to provide annual funding of K5million as an interim arrangement to the Bougainville Government.
These funds will be used towards the implementation of activities anticipated under the Fisheries MOU with ABG.
The MOU addresses critical fisheries capacity building issues that need to be addressed to provide an efficient and effective transfer of fisheries powers and functions to ABG.
This includes, the establishment of Bougainville Fisheries Management Authority, development of fisheries management plans, licensing policy, fisheries data for ABG and other related activities.
The Fisheries Minister also handed over keys for a duplex accommodation funded and built by NFA in Buka town that will support the needs of the ABG fisheries officers.
NFA is working towards developing the regulations of the Act and other implementation requirements.