By Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
THE Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Independent State of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) National Fisheries Authority (NFA) to develop stronger fisheries ties between the two countries.
In a statement on Sunday, the BFAR said the MoU identified different areas of cooperation such as promotion of fish ventures between the two states, development of post-harvest and fish processing, training and technology transfer, and joint research activities.
The signing was held at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City on Feb. 1, and was made between Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol and PNG Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Patrick Basa.
BFAR said the MoU follows the first agreement signed between the two countries in 2009 which was for the implementation of a fisheries cooperation project and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) monitoring.
The MoU shall remain in force for five years and shall be reviewed for renewal thereafter.
“Under the MOU, we remain connected as regards fisheries data sharing which provides us better access and control over our Philippine flagged vessels operating in PNG, (and) coordination (in) the Coral Triangle Initiative and (in the) fight against IUU Fishing, among others. This also bolsters our closer ties with PNG on other matters such as food, especially rice production,” BFAR National Director Eduardo B. Gongona said in a mobile message on Sunday.
