Fish of Papua New Guinea

Fisheries are a vital economic and dietary pillar in Papua New Guinea, supporting both subsistence needs and significant export revenues. The nation manages a vast marine area with diverse species, primarily tuna and shrimp, alongside extensive inland freshwater systems.

Tuna access fees provided 1.7% of government revenue in 2014
Exclusive economic zone covers 3.12 million square kilometres
Tuna makes up 94% of capture fishery production by volume
Subsistence fishing supports rural incomes for school fees
Bigeye tuna is the only species considered overfished in the region

Fish of Papua New Guinea

Fisheries provide essential food security and income for many communities across Papua New Guinea. The sector spans inland freshwater, coastal reefs, and offshore waters, contributing significantly to the national economy through exports and local sustenance. While commercial operations focus on high-value species like tuna, subsistence fishing remains crucial for rural populations, particularly in areas without sea access. The government aims to balance sustainable resource use with economic growth, managing a complex mix of traditional practices and modern industrial activities within one of the largest exclusive economic zones in the South Pacific.

Notable species

Tuna dominate commercial catches, with albacore, yellowfin, skipjack, and bigeye being the primary targets. Shrimp fisheries mainly harvest banana prawn and giant tiger prawn. Coastal waters host a wide variety of reef fish, including wrasse, groupers, emperor fish, bream, parrotfish, and barracuda. Inland rivers traditionally yield eels, though introduced species like tilapia and common carp are now also caught. Other notable catches include sea cucumbers, lobsters, and various invertebrates used for both local consumption and export markets.

Seas and rivers

Papua New Guinea possesses a massive fisheries area covering 2.4 million square kilometres, with an exclusive economic zone extending over 3.1 million square kilometres along a 17,000-kilometre coastline. These waters border Australia, Indonesia, Palau, and the Solomon Islands. The continental shelf covers approximately 186,819 square kilometres. Key fishing grounds include the Gulf of Papua for shrimp trawling, coastal reefs for diverse invertebrate and finfish harvesting, and large freshwater rivers in the Highlands Region where subsistence fishing is prevalent.

Fishing and farming

Commercial fishing includes foreign and domestic vessels targeting tuna via longline and purse seine methods, generating substantial access fees for the government. Shrimp trawling is locally operated, mostly in the Gulf of Papua. Subsistence fishing uses simple gear like handlines and nets, often focusing on invertebrates. Aquaculture produces tilapia and carp, while inland fisheries catch barramundi and riverine prawns. Most coastal catches are dried or salted for local sale, as chilled industries have struggled economically. Recreational fishing is limited to urban areas, primarily targeting oceanic species.

Fish in culture

Fish forms a critical component of diets even in the inland Highlands Region, where subsistence fishing is widespread. Traditional ownership of reefs and seabed by coastal communities influences management practices, sometimes leading to rejection of external regulations. Women play a significant role in subsistence fishing and the local sale of catch. Tuna blood meat, known locally as Solomon Blue, is popular in domestic markets. Fishing supports rural incomes, helping pay for expenses like school fees, reflecting its deep integration into social and economic life.

Today

The National Fisheries Authority regulates commercial activities, ensuring sustainability through various management plans. International agreements like the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission guide broader conservation efforts. While most fisheries are considered sustainably harvested, localized overfishing occurs near urban centers like Port Moresby. Bigeye tuna populations are noted as overfished in the wider region. The sector contributes roughly 1.7% to GDP, with exports valued at hundreds of millions annually. Government initiatives continue to promote domestic processing and aquaculture development to enhance economic benefits.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Fisheries in Papua New Guinea", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.