Public Notice on the establishment of tuna effort limits in Archipelagic Waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.

The main purpose of the Public Notice from the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is to inform stakeholders about the new regulations and changes in the tuna fisheries management in Papua New Guinea. The Public Notice lays down key points as follows: (I) the establishment of formal sustainable effort limits in PNG waters after consultations and scientific advice, (II) the introduction of the National Tuna Fisheries Management and Development Plan effective from 1 January 2015, (III) priority access to the Exclusive Economic Zone to the domestic industry, potentially limiting the days available to foreign vessels, (IV) the continuation of generous concessions for domestic processing with a mandate to increase processing in line with agreements, (V) the implementation of a new system allocating fishing days to match processing capacity, with priority given to domestic industry, and (VI) the compliance of foreign vessels with the State agreements and withdrawal of concessions if catches are not processed within PNG, as part of efforts to increase local processing and economic benefits. These measures are part of the National Tuna Fishery Management and Development Plan aiming to promote sustainable fishing practices and boost domestic processing.