Fisheries in Papua New Guinea

Fisheries are an important source of sustenance for many communities in Papua New Guinea, as well as a source of exports and other economic benefits. The country has inland freshwater, coastal, and offshore fisheries, as well as an aquaculture sector. A large proportion of the population uses these for subsistence fishing, with fish forming an important components of diets even in the inland Highlands Region. Subsistence coastal fishing catches a wide variety of fish and invertebrates, reflecting the high biodiversity of the country's waters. Inland subsistence fisheries have traditionally focused on eels, although introduced species are now also caught.

The commercial fishing industry has developed over time, with notable industries including tuna capture and processing and a shrimp fishery. The tuna industry includes both foreign and domestic vessels, with some catches processed locally and some exported. Access fees for foreign tuna fishing vessels provide over 1% of the national budget. The shrimp fishery is locally owned and operated, with most trawling taking place in the Gulf of Papua. Coastal commercial fishing mostly produces dried products, with attempts to create chilled or frozen coastal industries unsuccessful. The country has some aquaculture, often carried out in small-scale settings where it complements other food sources. Most fisheries are thought to be harvested sustainably.

The management of fisheries is the responsibility of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA). This body has created a number of management plans that seek to ensure fisheries are used sustainably. The government has sought to bolster the fishing sector over time, including by having more catch processed domestically. While the NFA regulates commercial fisheries, it does not regulate subsistence fishing. Coastal communities have traditional ownership of reefs and seabed, and may reject external management. Internationally, Papua New Guinea is part of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the Nauru Agreement. The Torres Strait Treaty governs shared management of the Torres Strait with Australia.