The Fisheries Development in East New Britain Province has reached another milestone with the successful launching of small to medium business ventures in the province in support for the people. This follows the recent launching of the East New Britain Fisheries Micro Small Medium Enterprise that took place at the Provincial Fisheries Station in Rabaul town. The support comprises of outboard motors, dinghies, deep freezers as well as eskies worth K250, 000 that will go towards assisting the local people in making fishing a viable small business venture. According to ENB Provincial Fisheries Coordinator, Dickson Kondaul, this initiative by the Provincial Fisheries sector will be piloted in the province with counter-funding support from the National Fisheries Authority (NFA). He also commended the support by NFA under the partnership agreement to implement the MOA for fisheries development with other provinces. The NFA management recently has lauded the ENB Fisheries sector for having the drive to facilitate and create initiatives and to go one step further. Kondaul said this initiative will empower locals economically and further strengthen the Provincial Government’s Ward policy aimed at alleviating social and law and order problems and promote economic development. Meanwhile, Kondaul further urged those that will benefit from the equipment, to be appreciative and practice responsibility and ensure they are used for its intended purpose. The occasion also coincided with the graduation of the first batch of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Revalidation Training for seafarers in ENB by the National Fisheries College. The training, according to Kondaul, was also co-funded and delivered in the province under the MOA through Enhancing Capacity Building & Training. Furthermore, NFA Provincial Support Manager, Bolton Towok had also commended the Provincial Fisheries sector for partnering with NFA in delivering vital training to empower its human resources for the marine industry.