Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape today urged the international community to help stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Pacific.
Speaking at the High-Level Session of the Honiara Summit, Marape raised serious concerns on the ongoing exploitation of Pacific resources by foreign nations and urged global partners to support the region’s efforts to protect its ocean and fisheries.
“While Pacific nations may be considered small island states, they are in fact ‘big ocean nations’ with a deep-rooted tradition of sustainable resource management,” Marape said.
“Let us not be lectured on sustainable development. We are practitioners of sustainable development,” he added.
The PNG leader also reinforced the Pacific’s long-standing commitment to responsible ocean stewardship, a way of life that has sustained its people for generations.
Marape was amongst the handful of Pacific leaders and hundreds of delegates attending the three-day event.
He made it clear that Pacific nations alone cannot combat the growing threat of IUU fishing.
In his direct address to key global players—including China, Australia, the USA, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand—Marape urged them to put an end to illegal fishing activities originating from their countries.
“Stop your illegal fishing in our waters. Stop it,” he demanded, considering how illegal fishing depleted fish stocks and undermined the livelihoods of Pacific communities.
The PNG leader also pointed out that many Pacific nations lacked the resources to enforce maritime regulations and protect their exclusive economic zones (EEZs).
“Solomon Island doesn’t have the capacity to police its waters. Papua New Guinea doesn’t have the capacity to police its waters. Let alone the entire Pacific,” he stated.
He also called on the United Nations (UN) to advocate for stronger global action against IUU fishing.
Marape also boldly announced that Papua New Guinea is now actively cracking down on illegal fishing vessels.
“If I catch illegal fishing in my country, I will sink all the boats,” he warned.
He also revealed that PNG has signed a defense cooperation agreement with the United States (US), which includes assistance in policing its waters and combating illegal fishing.
As the second-largest EEZ holder in the Pacific, PNG is taking a firm stand to protect its marine resources, he stated.
Beyond the fight against IUU fishing, Marape also stressed the urgent need for global action on climate change.
He called for stronger advocacy to limit global temperature rise, emphasizing its impact on marine ecosystems and tuna migration patterns.
“We are about 50% of tuna producers on the face of planet Earth. If temperatures continue to rise, it will disrupt our fisheries and our economies,” he warned.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the East New Britain initiative, an ambitious effort to ensure that all fish caught in PNG waters are processed domestically.
“The export of unregulated fish out of our waters must stop,” he stated,while revealing that by September 16 this year, PNG will require all fish catches to be assessed and processed within the country.
He encouraged other Pacific nations—particularly Melanesian nations such as Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji—to join in strengthening regional fish processing industries.
Marape’s speech was a call to action, urging Pacific nations to unite in protecting their ocean resources and demanding accountability from larger, industrialized nations.
“It is time for us to rise up and fight for our resources,” he declared.
