The ban on fish sales was imposed after a spill at the MCC owned Basamuk refinery
The National aka The Loggers Times | January 13, 2020
MADANG resident judge Justice David Cannings has started a human rights proceeding on his own initiative to inquire into the fish ban in the province.
He summoned the provincial administrator and the managing director of the National Fisheries Authority to appear in the National Court on Jan 31.
This is to determine who imposed the ban, under what law it was imposed, were there any proven scientific reasons for continuing the ban, and will any person’s human rights be infringed by the continuation of the ban.
He said the purpose of the inquiry was to determine the validity of the ban and whether to lift the ban to restore normalcy in the survival routine of the coastal people of Madang.
People living in the coastal areas of Madang who rely on the sea for income and food are being affected by the ban imposed by the provincial government last October.
The provincial government banned the harvesting, selling, purchasing and production of marine resources from the waters of Madang after a reported slurry spill on Aug 24 at the Ramu NiCo Basamuk Refinery.
The provincial fisheries authority on Oct 16 declared the waters around the province and the fish safe.
