Papua New Guinea Tuna Fishery

PNG TUNA FISHERY

These are the four main tuna species now commonly referred to as the highly migratory tuna species. They are commonly known as Skipjack, Yellow fin, Big eye and Albacore. From 2005 to 2010 the average annual catch for PNG was 500, 000 mt. In 2010 PNG made a record catch of 749, 000 mt. At the going Skipjack price of US$1, 800 per metric ton. The 500, 000 mt average PNG catch is valued at US$0.9 Billion. There are three main commercial fishing methods used in the capture of tuna being; Purse Seine, Long Line and Pole-and-Line. The Western and Central Pacific Ocean is bordered by 400 North and South of the Equator and 1100 East longitude and 1500 East Longitude. This Ocean is referred to as the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). Tuna Fisheries in the WCPO is managed under the WCPO Tuna Commission. The multi-gear Tuna Fisheries in the WCPO made an average annual catch of 2.2 million metric tons between 2005 and 2010. The average annual tuna catches in the PNA waters for the same period is 1.4 million mt representing 32% of the world catch and 64% of the WCPO. PNG's catch represent 54% of PNA and 34% of WCPO. At the 2011 tuna price of US$1, 800 per metric ton. The value of world catch is US$7.7 billion. The estimate value of raw tuna to PNA member Countries is US$2.5 billion and PNG is US$1.35 billion. The status of the principal species, (Skipjack) stock taken by Purse Seine Fishery in WCPO was in a very healthy status whilst the other two species, yellow fin and in particular the big eye stock was low and pose a management concern by the WCPO Tuna Commission.

Having understand this huge potential in revenue that can be gained from this industry, the government of this country should very much invest heavily into this industry as it is self-sustaining and a renewable resource. Currently we have foreign nations taking a huge chunk out of our tuna resource for their benefit giving very little back. Papua New Guinean's and those in power should open their eyes to this and come up with Policies and Laws to benefit local participation into this industry and phase out foreign companies.

Service Delivery Mechanisms Reviewed

It is good to read and see the news of members of parliament expressing concern and taking action to review the service delivery mechanism for our country. The Public Service institutions of our country has too many complacent workers occupying these positions for a very long time and have lacked the initiative and drive to carry out their duties to serve the people of this nation quickly and on time. The Prime Minister is angry that his recent initiative to provide free education for all grades up to grade 10 isn't being delivered well, as the second and final payment of the school fees have yet to be paid to the schools because the people responsible in the education department are not actively doing their jobs. As a result, the chief secretary Mr. Zurenuoc has expressed his disappointment over this issue and will be disciplining those responsible for their slackness. This is one of the many examples that clearly show that the public service machinery needs to be reviewed and overhauled so as to bring out the much needed change that it requires. With this sort of mindset that our members have and backed by our Prime Minister, PNG is definitely set to see some major changes in the next 5 years. Let us the people of this good nation assist our elected leaders where we can to bring about this change for the good of our nation.

2012 PNG Government Formed

The elections are now over and government has just been formed, Peter O'Neil has been unanimously voted in as the Prime Minister for Papua New Guinea's 9th Parliament. Last night he allocated the 33 ministries to his government members and they are as follows:

Prime Minister - Peter O’Neill.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Inter-Government Relations - Leo Dion.
Minister for Treasury - Don Polye.
Minister for Public Enterprise and State Investment - Ben Micah.
Minister for Forest and Climate Change - Patrick Pruaitch.
Minister for Transport - Ano Pala.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock - Tommy Tomscoll.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration - Rimbink Pato.
Minister for Public Service - Sir Puka Temu.
Minister for Religion, Youth and Community Development - Loujaya Toni.
Minister for Environment and Conservation - John Pundari.
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and technology - David Arore.
Minister for Justice and Attorney General - Kerenga Kua.
Minister for Defence - Fabian Pok.
Minister for Education - Paru Aihi.
Minister for Finance - James Marape.
Minister for Petroleum and Energy - William Duma.
Minister for Housing and Urban Development - Paul Isikiel.
Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture - Boka Kondra.
Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry - Richard Maru.
Minister for Sports and Pacific Games - Justin Tkatchenko.
Minister for Labor and Industrial Relations - Mark Maipakai.
Minister for Health and HIV-AIDS - Michael Malabag.
Minister for Police - Nixon Duban.
Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources - Mao Zeming.
Minister for Correctional Services - Jim Simatab.
Minister for Communication and Information Technology - Jimmy Miringtoro.
Minister for Mining - Byron Chan.
Minister for Works and Implementation - Francis Awesa.
Minister for Autonomous Regions - Steven Kama.
Minister for Lands and Physical Planning - Benny Allan.
Minister for National Planning - Charles Abel.
Minister for Civil Aviation - Davies Steven.

There are quite a number of new members taking up ministries as well as Loujaya Toni, a female to be given a portfolio. We shall wait and see how these Ministers manage their respective portfolios before we can make our personal judgements on their performances.

Third Female Member of the 9th Parliament of PNG

Julie Soso has just been declared as the member for Eastern Highlands Province defeating Sir Barry Holloway by eight thousand votes to pass the absolute majority. This now brings to three the number of female members of parliament which in itself is history in the making as being the most number of female members in a term of parliament. The other two female members are Dellilah Gore for Sohe Open and Lojaya Toni for Lae Open. Don Polye's THE party has now its second female member besides Dellilah Gore boosting its total by one and placing it as the party with the second largest number of declared members after Peter O'Neil's People's National Congress (PNC) Party. We congratulate the women of this country on their strive to be heard as equals in the running of this country.

PNG Parliament appoints Theo Zurenuoc as Speaker for the 9th Parliament

After the courts this morning dismissed the case to stop parliament for having its first sitting today the 3^rd of August, 2012. Parliament was convened at 10am today to appoint the speaker of the 9^th parliament. Nominees for the Speakers chair were, Francis Marus for Mr. Namah's team and Theo Zurenuoc for Mr O'Neil's team. Theo Zurenuoc was appointed with the majority as the Speaker for the Parliament. Having decided the speaker, the parliament has adjourned for next week to appoint the Prime Minister of the country.