Enviro News Asia, Canberra — Australia has supported a fisheries officer exchange between Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste to strengthen regional cooperation in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and improving sustainable fisheries management.
The exchange, held from May 25 to June 5, was organized under Australia’s Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Promoting Sustainable Fisheries in Southeast Asia program.
Four fisheries officers from Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry participated in the program alongside experts from Papua New Guinea’s National Fisheries Authority. The participants visited Port Moresby, Lae, and Rabaul to gain practical experience in fisheries compliance, monitoring, and enforcement.
During the exchange, the officers observed port inspections, vessel monitoring systems, catch documentation procedures, and compliance operations. They also learned how Papua New Guinea integrates vessel monitoring, observer programs, licensing, enforcement, and fisheries data into a comprehensive fisheries management system.
George Day, Assistant Secretary of Australia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Branch, said the initiative demonstrates the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared fisheries challenges through knowledge exchange and stronger compliance efforts.
Participants also received practical training on implementing the Agreement on Port State Measures, which aims to prevent illegally caught fish from entering international markets. The program further introduced audit and certification systems that improve seafood traceability and help countries comply with international fisheries standards.
Pedro Antero Maria Rodrigues, a Senior Technical Officer from Timor-Leste, said the exchange provided valuable practical knowledge that will help strengthen fisheries management and support future work in his country.
Glenda Barry, Manager of Compliance and Enforcement at Papua New Guinea’s National Fisheries Authority, said hosting the exchange strengthened collaboration between Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste while creating opportunities for professional learning and knowledge sharing.
Australia said Fisheries Officer Exchanges remain an important part of its regional capacity-building efforts to combat IUU fishing, protect marine resources, and promote sustainable fisheries that support livelihoods and economic development across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. (*)
