Lae, Papua New Guinea, 18 July 2025 – The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Office successfully concluded a five-day training workshop in Lae for National Fisheries Authority (NFA) officers, further advancing the rollout of the PNA Compliance Case Register (PCCR) across the region. Held from 14 to 18 July 2025, the training workshop focused on equipping officers with practical skills to manage and track fisheries compliance cases effectively, further advancing sub-regional efforts to enhance transparency, coordination, and accountability in the PNA tuna fishery.

The PCCR, a web-based platform, enables PNA member countries to register, track, and resolve compliance cases in real time,  whether they are Home Party or Flag State,  Coastal State, and or Observer Provider. This replaces the outdated practice of manually handling and emailing case files either sourced from Observer reports and or from other MCS activities.

“This training will empower the officers to manage compliance cases efficiently as the system ensures faster resolution of cases and real-time collaboration amongst PNA member countries,” said PNAO Compliance Officer Mr. Joseph Kendou, who represented CEO Dr. Sangaalofa Clark during the opening and closing of the workshop. “We’ve had cases in the past where delayed action meant captains or observers were no longer traceable and fishing vessels reflagging to other members limiting flag state investigations. The PCCR helps us avoid that.”

The workshop brought together NFA compliance officers from major ports including Port Moresby, Madang, Rabaul, Wewak, Kavieng, and Lae. Many participants were former observers transitioning into compliance roles.

Key areas covered in the training included:

1. Understanding the role of PCCR system in managing national and regional compliance cases.

2. Understanding observer-related and party-reported case processes under PNA and WCPFC frameworks.

3. Drafting clear violation reports and responses, supported by evidence such as observer statements.

4. Addressing unresolved cases, including those in the WCPFC Case File System.

5. Strengthening collaboration for sustainable tuna fisheries management in PNG.

This marks the third PCCR system training hosted by the PNA Office, following earlier sessions in the Solomon Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. It is part of a broader effort to standardize compliance practices and support sustainable tuna management across the PNA membership.

Participants praised the training for building confidence in using the PCCR and clarifying how officers should respond to reports from observers and national sources. Feedback highlighted the system’s role in boosting transparency and improving coordination among Parties.

The PNA Office extends its gratitude to the National Fisheries Authority for hosting and funding their in-country ports officers’ participation, ensuring PNG officers have the essential skills to utilize the PCCR system effectively. Ongoing training and technical support will continue to be delivered by the PNA Office to ensure the effective use of the PCCR system in its drive to strengthen regional fisheries compliance governance amongst its membership.