In Papua New Guinea, to address the region's unique challenges, a groundbreaking community-based multi-species fisheries management initiative was developed: The Fore Coast Artisanal Fisheries Management Plan.
The enactment of a Local-Level Government (LLG) Law is a significant legislative milestone achieved in the South Fly District of Western Province, as it marks a transformative moment in fisheries management of the country at the local government level, broadening the focus from commercial fisheries to community-based artisanal fisheries.
Supported by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) through the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Project, this legislation significantly advances the sustainable management of marine environments and artisanal fisheries. Its enactment represents an achievement for the Fore Coast Kiwai LLG in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province and sets a new precedent for environmental governance, offering a model for sustainability that can inspire and be replicated in other regions, illustrating a major step forward in conservation efforts across the region.
The region spanning from Sui Village on the Fly River delta to Bula Village at the Indonesian border confronts several sustainability challenges, such as critical overfishing issues, identified in the ATSEA-2 Project's baseline assessment in 2022. This approach culminated in the development of a comprehensive management plan, which was legally formalised on 9 April 2024, empowering local communities to manage their resources effectively through a community-based Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM).
The specific challenges faced by the Fore Coast communities, leading to the development of the new law, were primarily related to the inability to gazette the Fore Coast Artisanal Fishery Management Plan (FAFMP) under the Fisheries Management Act 1998. This limitation shifted implementation responsibility to the NFA, contrary to the intended community-based approach. Hence, an LLG law was necessary to legalise the FAFMP and ensure local implementation.
Community involvement was integral throughout the drafting and decision-making processes, before and during the FAFMP development, with management measures derived from the plan adopted into the LLG Law. LLG members, representing the Fore Coast communities, were actively engaged in the drafting and review of the law until its finalisation.
The ongoing preparation for the implementation of the law involves various stakeholders, including the NFA, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), Western Province Fisheries, South Fly Fisheries, Fore Coast Kiwai LLG members, and Fishing Industries representatives in Daru, the capital city of South Fly District. These entities constitute the Fore Coast Fisheries Management Committee, which will convene annually to review the effectiveness of the FAFMP implementation and its associated law.
While the FAFMP and its law are yet to be fully implemented, their potential impact on the local environment and fishing practices is eagerly anticipated. Once the law is passed, both the plan and the law will undergo a socialisation process before implementation commences, ensuring community readiness and support for the forthcoming changes. This legislative success has garnered acclaim from community leaders, including Hon. Sampson Ma’a Uku from Mabudauan village, who highlighted its importance for sustainable community development.
This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the ATSEA-2 Project, aiming to manage community-based artisanal fisheries and achieve sustainable fisheries objectives. While preliminary feedback from the community following the enactment of the law indicates satisfaction and anticipation for more sustainable fishing practices, further assessments are necessary to gauge its full impact.
Future initiatives planned to support fisheries sustainability in the region include fisheries development outlined in the National Action Plan (NAP), indicating a holistic approach to long-term resource management and community welfare.
The Fore Coast Kiwai LLG's enactment of this law is a profound testament to the power of collaborative efforts between national and local governments, communities, and international partners. It underscores a significant shift towards sustainable environmental stewardship and community empowerment in Papua New Guinea.
About the ATSEA-2 Project
ATSEA-2 is the second phase of the Arafura & Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) program; a regional partnership involving the governments of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor-Leste, with the support of the Australian Government. Its objective is to collectively manage high marine and fisheries resources in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region. Since its inception in 2019, the Program has been working to promote sustainable development in the ATS and improve the quality of life of its inhabitants through a combination of restoration, conservation and sustainable management of marine-coastal ecosystems.
The ATSEA-2 Project is committed to safeguarding the livelihoods and prosperity of coastal people in the ATS region, particularly in transboundary areas, through the implementation of sustainable integrated concepts. ATSEA-2 is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded program, managed and executed under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Resource Facility (PRF) is an implementing partner.
For more information on the ATSEA-2 Project, please contact the Regional Project Manager, Dr Handoko Adi Susanto (hasusanto@pemsea.org), visit the project page on iwlearn.net, or the project website.
© 2026 IW:LEARN
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