PNG yet to realise potential in fishing industry: Polon

Identifying local Seafood businesses in PNG and providing potential markets for them was the purpose of the first ever Seafood and Technology Exposition in Port Moresby hosted by National; Fisheries Authority this week.

The 54 seafood exhibitors from PNG and the Pacific took part in the three day event at the Sir John Guiese indoor complex between the 12th September and 14^th, 2017.

Deputy Managing Director of NFA Phillip Polon said while PNG has much potential in the fishing industry, it has still yet to fully tap into the sector to realize it’s benefits.

Mr Polon said the exhibition was to see whether there was interest within the region and to come together to realize what businesses there are in terms of fishing in PNG and the region in order to see what can be done.

“The biggest thing on our path for PNG itself is for us to note who is there in the fishing sector and who is marketing and doing whatever business under the industry. It is one of the opportunities that we want to take onboard to see who exactly is involved in what process of fishing. What role do they play and also to build relationships from the capture, to the export to the consumption part. The serious of businesses in between is unknown as we do not know who is playing what role. So the forum as such is to identify business people in between so we can identify partners in terms of doing business.

The other part is to expose fishing business in PNG. There is so much information about Oil, GAS AND GOLD but nothing of fishing. The fishing part of business is dominated by foreigners; particularly Phillipinos who have come here long time ago and have set up RD Tuna in Madang and eventually the Koreans, Japanese, Chinese and so on. Now the business is controlled by them. What we trying to do is identify this as a first step and identify local business potentials to tap into the industry,” said Polon.

Mr Polon said PNG has potential markets such as Dubai, Brussels and the US potential but is very hard to access because of export duty PNG has.

“So we try to mimic those big sea food shows to see whether or not PNG or the region can put together a number of potential exporters, operators, fishermen and interested public and mobilize them in one umbrella and see whether there is an interest or demand.
"Apart from the little fishermen there is no bigger player in PNG. Identifying potential market is what we need to do so we can tap into new markets where we can capitalize on,” he said.  

He added that although Europe has been PNG’s biggest importer of its fishes, it has been a very costly exercise for the industry with fishermen in the country making little money for themselves.

Local Seafood Exhibitors in Port Moresby showcasing their products for the first time in Port Moresby.