
PNG's prawn fishery is divided into three areas for licensing and management purposes: the Gulf of Papua (Gulf), the Western/Torres Strait (Western Province into Torres Strait region), and the Orangerie Bay (Milne Bay Province). The former area is the most important area in the fishery and accounts for about 99% percent of the country's catch each year with a total annual catch from all species of prawns is on average about 380 metric tons (all species total weight) per annum, with an estimated value of over USD 4.3 million (over K13 million) per annum.
The Gulf of Papua is currently exploited by larger class vessels while Orangerie Bay and the Western Province/Torres Strait ar􀀋 suitably fished by smaller class vessels as per their management plans. Although more than 40 species of penaeid prawns are found in Papua New Guinea waters, four species are overwhelmingly dominant in commercial landings. The percentage composition of these four species in the overall total catch is relatively consistent from year to year. The main species taken are banana prawns (Penaeus merguiensis, P. indicus), black tiger prawns, (P. monodon), Brown tiger prawns (P. semisulcatus), and endeavour prawns (Metapenaeus ensis, M. demani, M. eboracensis).
The fishery remains closed to foreign involvement. Prawns are processed and packed on board and mainly exported to Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia Solomon Islands, and Australia or are sold domestically within PNG. Jai:,an being the highest buyer of prawns' worth about USD 3.9 million per year, and about 90% of damaged prawns are subject to domestic markets in the country.
Each fishery is managed under its own prawn fishery management plans. During the prawn operations by trawlers, lobsters and fish by-catch are caught, but most of it is discarded at sea after selective sorting. However, an estimated 350 tons of by-catch are landed in Port Moresby by the trawlers each year. This fish sells for an average of K10-K15 per kg, and it is important in helping meet the protein requirements of the city's lower-income population.
In order to successfully improve the prawn fishery in the Gulf of Papua, there are many available methods and best practices that can be researched, adapted, and implemented and these suggested methods are the review of the GOP Fishery Management Plan to incorporate MSC certification qualities e.g., bycatch mitigation and management, species risk assessment, and having the harvest control rule that will enable the fishery to improve economically in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Also, new opportunities in terms of a wider access to good markets, quality exports and high revenue generation can be attained. Finally, a Value Chain Study can be conducted to trace the products from processing and storing to labelling and selling so that it enables us to understand what we can improve, change, or amend to maximise profitability in a sustainable manner.