Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed Papua New Guinea's dedication to safeguarding its marine resources by ramping up efforts to combat illegal fishing. He said through the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with the United States, PNG will enhance surveillance and enforcement in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), ensuring that illegal fishing activities are swiftly detected and dealt with. Prime Minister Marape emphasized the critical economic value of PNG’s fisheries sector, particularly tuna, which accounts for over 55% of the world’s tuna supply. He highlighted that small Pacific Island nations, despite being custodians of vast ocean resources, must not remain economically disadvantaged due to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Papua New Guinea is responsible for approximately 15-20% of the world’s tuna supply. However, when considering the wider Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO)—which includes PNG and other Pacific nations—this region accounts for over 55% of the global tuna catch. PNG has the largest EEZ in the Pacific, rich in skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore tuna, making it one of the most significant contributors to the global tuna industry. “Illegal fishing costs us billions in lost revenue. I call on all our partners—including the United States, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Australia—to work with PNG and other Pacific nations to remain vigilant against illegal fishing. As large ocean states, we must ensure that our rich marine resources benefit our people and economies,” PM Marape said. Under the DCA with the U.S., PNG will enhance its capacity to apprehend illegal fishing vessels through joint maritime patrols and real-time surveillance technology. The U.S. military will assist in bolstering PNG’s ability to monitor its waters and swiftly act against unauthorized fishing activities. “We are working with the U.S. military to strengthen our naval and air surveillance capabilities. Any illegal fishing vessels caught in PNG’s waters will be immediately apprehended. We are also exploring advanced satellite technology for real-time monitoring of our waters to improve enforcement,” PM Marape stated. To further safeguard PNG’s fisheries sector, the Government is set to introduce a Fish Domestication Policy in the second quarter of 2025. This policy mandates that all fish caught in PNG’s waters must be processed locally, ensuring value addition before export. “No unprocessed fish will leave our waters. All catches will be brought back to processing facilities in Madang, Lae, and other designated locations to create jobs, boost our economy, and maximize the benefits of our natural resources,” PM Marape said. As a senior member of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), PNG is also committed to supporting other Pacific Island nations in strengthening their fisheries enforcement. Through regional cooperation, PNG will share surveillance capabilities with neighbouring nations, ensuring a united approach against IUU fishing. “We will extend our enforcement capabilities to support our Pacific neighbours. As a leader in regional fisheries management, PNG is committed to ensuring that our ocean resources are properly accounted for and that Pacific nations benefit from our vast marine wealth,” the Prime Minister said. Prime Minister Marape also reaffirmed his government’s broader agenda of protecting national resources, extending beyond fisheries to include forestry and other extractive industries. Through state-led marketing strategies, PNG aims to ensure that timber and other natural resources are harvested responsibly, processed locally, and contribute directly to the national economy. “Just as we are securing our fisheries sector, we will also ensure transparency and accountability in forestry. Our resources must benefit our people first before they are exported,” he said. “The Government remains steadfast in its mission to protect PNG’s sovereignty, enforce sustainable resource management, and ensure that the country derives maximum benefit from our rich natural wealth.”