Masono unhappy with National Fisheries Authority (NFA)
The Acting President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), Hon Raymond Masono has expressed dismay at the decision by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) to stop harvesting of beche-de-mer, or pislama, in Bougainville, after less than two months of lifting the nationwide ban imposed in 2009.
Masono argued that NFA’s decision would adversely affect fisher-peoples in the outlying communities of the Atolls who have just begun harvesting and, due to lack of transport, are yet to bring their produce to the main service centres of Buka, Arawa and Buin. He further stated that the seven days grace period within which fisher-people must sell harvested beche-de-mer (BDM) is too short and will result in tonnes of the produce being wasted because it cannot be sold.
“This marine resource is being harvested within the three nautical miles in waters described as Bougainville waters and I find it absurd that the National Fisheries Authority should still exercise control over management of beche-de-mer in Bougainville.”
But this is also a wake-up call for the appropriate government agencies to immediately develop ABG policies and legislation to enable the Autonomous Bougainville Government to assume control over the management of its beche-de-mer resources.
“I am challenging the Departments of Primary Industry and Economic Development to fast track policies and legislations to control this lucrative industry in Bougainville.”
“In the meantime, I have directed the Department concerned to liaise with NFA to allow BDM harvesting in Bougainville for the full season. Getting NFA to increase Bougainville’s total tonnage allocation from a mere 28 tonnes to 50 tonnes would be a good starting point,” Masono added.
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