Prime Minister (PM) James Marape says he will sink any illegal vessels operating in the waters of Papua New Guinea catching fish.

The PM reiterated his strong warning made earlier to illegal fishermen from neighbouring countries to be properly licensed or face the sinking of their fishing vessels.

He resounded this warning today as he commended the border surveillance unit and the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) for apprehending three unlicensed fishing vessels from Indonesia in the Gulf of Papua last week.

PM Marape said he was awaiting a full report from NFA before these trespassing, illegal fishermen can be tried in the PNG courts and their boats sunk.

“I did make an announcement earlier that we will sink any illegal boats caught in our country,” he said.

“We respect our traditional partner nations Indonesia, Australia and those we share the border with. But we will not tolerate trespassing, illegal fishing in our waters.

“Our country is not a fishing ground for illegal fishing. If you want to fish, do it properly. Get a license. There is enough space for everyone,” said PM Marape.

PM Marape said PNG is now working closely with its security partners to strengthen maritime surveillance and all fishing vessel owners must seriously take heed of this warning or face losing their ships.

“Our waters hold some of the world’s most fertile fishing grounds, and fish remains as one of our important resources. We want to protect this resource for sustainable harvest into the future, and will not tolerate such practices,” he said.

“This is the direction from us to anyone out there thinking of fishing without proper license. We are sinking your boats when we catch you.”