Global Fishing Watch welcomes partnership with Papua New

BANGKOK, Thailand, Oct. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a newly established partnership with Global Fishing Watch, Papua New Guinea has committed to sharing vessel tracking data from its Fishing Industry Association on the organization’s public map. Through this agreement, the Pacific island country is taking action to enhance the monitoring of fishing vessels operating in their waters and increase the transparency of its seafood supply chain.

A memorandum of understanding outlining the partnership was signed between Global Fishing Watch and the National Fisheries Authority on Oct. 11, 2022 at the 17th Infofish World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition in Bangkok. The agreement was reviewed and endorsed by all members of the Fishing Industry Association and is a testament to Papua New Guinea’s commitment to increasing accountability across the fishing sector and their desire to effectively manage fisheries and marine resources for sustainable and equitable benefits. 

The newly available vessel monitoring system data will complement the already-existing automatic identification system, or AIS, data that appears on Global Fishing Watch’s map. This additional layer of information will help strengthen vessel compliance and aid in the sustainable use of marine resources, and highlights industry’s appreciation for the role transparency plays in building trust with their customers.

“We welcome this new partnership with Papua New Guinea and commend their leadership in fisheries transparency,” said Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch. “We see incredible value in the relationship that the National Fisheries Authority has with the Fishing Industry Association, demonstrating the importance of effective government and industry partnerships in advancing good governance and promoting a positive compliance environment.”

“Our tuna fishery is one of the largest in the western and central Pacific Ocean and represents a key…