Fish poaching in PNG must be stopped
06 May 2010
PNG LOSES millions
of kina worth of fish and other marine resources every year through illegal
poaching by foreign fishing vessels.
Despite numerous public complaints and media reports of illegal fishing activities, such activities continue. An effective response is urgently needed as time is running out for many fish stocks.
We can do this several ways. Let's start by having more surveillance craft and an effective national coastguard service to patrol our archipelagic waters in the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Defence Ministry needs to establish forward operations
bases in strategic locations in Western,
Apart from ships, good synergy can be achieved by the use of aircraft to augment overall surveillance.
Presently, the Manus patrol boat base and
The PNGDF's maritime element (navy) must effectively project its forward presence in response to illegal marine activities.
This is a big SOS call for the PNG government to ensure collective action by key agencies to safeguard the country's rich marine resources.
The reality today is that many fishing nations have already depleted fish stocks in their own waters, so are now poaching in PNG's rich marine resources with much impunity.
I think it is time the PNG government immediately sets up the country's own coastguard service to protect our borders and resources.
Former PNGDF Colonel Reginald Renagi can be the best adviser to the government in this particular area of public policy.
As a former ship's captain and defence chief he will be a good adviser to the Somare administration on how we go about this important security requirement.
Posted by: Susan James | 01 September 2010 at 01:54 PM
Reg Renagi's article about security of PNG’s marine resource is very true. The fishing boats from other countries whose fish have been depleted sail in to steal our fish and other marine resources.
Since there is no surveillance on the waters of PNG (200 nautical miles) people are also using it as a route of illegal trade, e.g., smuggling in fake and illegal products especially from Asia. The stolen items from PNG are leaving the country via same route.
Not only that but there are a few other issues. A couple of incidents have not been reported because there is no surveillance.
One good example is, a New Islander who works with RD Tuna Cannery in Madang as a boat crew was reported to be missing in the waters between PNG and Indonesian border. In the boat was a group of Filipinos and two nationals. They sailed across the Coral Sea towards PNG-Indon boarder.
It was surprising for the other poor PNGean to see that his colleague was missing in the ship. It implies a deal either to smuggle in or out illegal items.
There are many things happening on the waters around PNG, but because there is no monitoring and surveillance system, we don know what's happening. The PNG government must seriously look into this issue.
Posted by: Joe Wasia | 06 May 2010 at 07:57 PM