Papua New Guinea
Our work
In October 2022, Global Fishing Watch embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with Papua New Guinea to enhance transparency and improve the management of the nation’s rich marine resources. Initiated by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and supported by the Fishing Industry Association (FIA), this collaboration underscores the country’s commitment to closely monitoring its fishing activities and ensuring the sustainability of its globally significant tuna stocks.
Papua New Guinea became the first Pacific Island nation to publicly share its vessel monitoring system data via the Global Fishing Watch map in 2022. This milestone significantly boosted the visibility and accountability of its fishing operations. By making data from about 50 purse seine vessels accessible to the public, the country is not only strengthening oversight of its fleet but also improving transparency within its seafood supply chain—building consumer trust and promoting sustainable practices.
But our work in Papua New Guinea goes beyond monitoring. Through detailed insights and analyses of vessel tracking data, Global Fishing Watch helps the Pacific nation to take practical steps toward sustainable fisheries management and drive meaningful change. This collaboration has already yielded significant positive outcomes, such as supporting investigations into suspicious vessels. In one instance, our data helped confirm illegal activity, resulting in penalties that reaffirmed the country’s resolve to enforce its fisheries laws.
Highlights
Our efforts in Papua New Guinea are bolstered by close collaboration with various in-country stakeholders. In addition to working with the NFA and FIA, we are also engaging with the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority and the National Oceans Office.
Vessel tracking: Making vessels publicly visible
Since June 2023, approximately 50 purse seine vessels, all members of the FIA, have been visible on the Global Fishing Watch map. The visibility of these vessels, operating within Papua New Guinea’s exclusive economic zone and the waters of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, underscores the country’s forward-thinking approach to fisheries management.
Operational support: Strengthening national surveillance
Global Fishing Watch has been providing Papua New Guinea with detailed analyses of fishing activity in its waters to strengthen national enforcement and boost the country’s capacity to combat illegal fishing. In 2024, we assisted the NFA in investigating the MITRA JAYA MANDIRI 6, a vessel suspected of illegal activities. Our report corroborated other evidence that NFA had collected, ultimately supporting a strong case against the vessel, which led to significant penalties.
Capacity development: Adopting technology
Building the capacity of the NFA’s monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) teams is central to our collaboration. In 2024, we delivered targeted training to MCS officers, enabling them to integrate cutting-edge technologies into their daily operations. This capacity-building effort has empowered local authorities to make data-driven decisions that ensure the sustainability of Papua New Guinea’s fisheries. We are committed to continuing this training with virtual and in-person sessions in the coming years, ensuring the country remains at the forefront of fisheries management innovation.
Vessel information: Completing the picture of vessel activity
The FIA has further committed to supporting Global Fishing Watch’s wider regional work by exploring how vessel data can be used to develop risk models. These models aim to address pressing issues such as forced labor across the fishing industry, further reinforcing the country’s leadership in sustainable fisheries management.
About Papua New Guinea
The western and central Pacific Ocean hosts some of the largest and most valuable fisheries on the planet, contributing more than 50 percent of the global tuna catch. Papua New Guinea occupies a key position within this region, with its fisheries generating an estimated US $113 million dollars annually. However, capturing accurate data has posed a challenge in both artisanal and industrial fisheries throughout the region, highlighting the need for better robust monitoring and management measures.Â
Spanning over 926,000 square miles (2.4 million square kilometers), Papua New Guinea’s exclusive economic zone encompasses some of the world’s most productive tuna fisheries, making effective monitoring essential. Collaborating with Global Fishing Watch enables the island nation to leverage advanced platforms that enhance its ability to oversee fishing activities and enforce compliance with both national and international regulations.
Our work also serves as a foundation for broader regional efforts, supporting a larger initiative led by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing across the Pacific. As a member of key regional fisheries governance bodies—including the FFA, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the Parties to the Nauru Agreement—Papua New Guinea plays a vital role in shaping policies and setting science-based management and conservation standards across the region.