The new Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resource, Jelta Wong, MP, has pledged his commitment to serve the people of Papua New Guinea to create jobs and protect national fisheries stocks from environmental damage and theft by overseas illegal fishing boats. “The Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resource has a significant function for our country right now and into the future, as our marine resources must be managed properly and must be harvested in a sustainable way,” Minister Wong said after being sworn in as a minister by the Governor-General. “It is an honour to serve as a Minister for State in the Government of Papua New Guinea,” the Minister said. “I thank the Prime Minister, the James Marape, who has demonstrated his confidence in myself and the United Resources Party to undertake this appointment. The responsibility the Prime Minister has bestowed upon me is significant, and I will take on the challenges ahead with all of my strength to the service for this great Nation and our people." Wong said as Minister for fisheries and Marine Resources it is clear that there is a lot of heavy lifting ahead in the coming weeks, months and years. "Over the past three years our Government, under Prime Minister Marape, has sought to implement long-overdue reforms in the fisheries sector, but much of this work was undermined by the interruption of the COVID-19 Pandemic. “Now that our country is moving past what we expect is the worst of the pandemic, we must get on with the job and as we say in my office, Yumi Mekim Kamap." “That is our attitude from day one in the Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resource, let's get it done! "In terms of my initial priorities as Fisheries Minister, I intend to work with our industry partners to look at how we can maximize sustainable harvest output." “The Marape Government had earlier released Fisheries Strategic Plan for 2021 to 2030 and this must be fully adopted, with revisions in the context of a changing global economy." "Sustainability is the key because if we take too much now from our fish stocks, there will be nothing left for our children." He said fisheries is different to the extractive resource sector where once the minerals or hydrocarbons are extracted, they will not be replaced. "If we are smart, we will harvest our fisheries and marine resources carefully so that stocks can replenish and maintain the sector for future generations." "Considering the needs of our future generations is also a reason that I intend to lead a crackdown on illegal fishing in our waters. Working with the Ministry for Internal Security, we will stop the theft of our marine resources through better surveillance, including the use drone technology, and unwavering enforcement of our laws against anyone who thinks they can steal from our country. Wong stated that the PM has indicated his support for the expanded export of sustainably harvested fresh seafood to global markets, and this is very much appreciated by our people. "We will also work within the government, together with other island and coastal areas to strengthen supply chains to access markets particularly in Asia." "We will also work with investors under this plan to value-add in the processing of our tuna and other seafood in our own production facilities." Jelta Wong enters the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource with ministerial experience during the Tenth Parliament, and as a business operator in Papua New Guinea. "I approach this role with ministerial experience in the in the portfolios of Police, Health and briefly State Enterprises." He said the past 5 years have provided him with experience that he will apply as Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources. "The people of PNG have put their trust in our government." "This support is reassuring as it is humbling, and we will never take this trust for granted," concluded Minster Wong.