Andrew Ettinghausen coming to PNG from June 21 to 27 to go fishing !

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Former Australian rugby league star Andrew Ettinghausen will be in PNG from June 21 to 27 trying out fishing in the Northern (Oro) Province.

Ettinghausen, “ET”as many rugby league fans in PNG know him, has been invited by the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority to fish at the mouth of the Bendoroda estuary for his ‘Escape with ET’ television programme.

The TPA has been liasing with Ettinghausen since last year to bring him in.

Air Niugini is assisting by way of providing free travel for Ettinghausen’s television crew between Brisbane and Port Moresby.

Ettinghausen himself will be travelling from Australia by private jet with clients eager to try out the fishing in PNG, with emphasis on the prized black bass and spot tailed bass

He will do two half – hour segments for his ‘Escape with ET’programme, which is shown in PNG on EMTV at 5pm on Saturdays.

Bendoroda Wilderness Lodge, Oro Province of Papua New Guinea :

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Ettinghausen will be a guest of Bendoroda Wilderness Lodge, a newly – established eco tourist fishing lodge set on the mouth of the Benderoda estuary.

The area is virtually untouched and offers an exciting variety of fishing and sightseeing to the adventurous angler.

The lodge was built by the village people for the whole community, as their only other income is to smoke tilapia or catch and sell crocodile.

Apart from fishing, Ettinghausen will also focus on the local culture and people for his television show, which is widely – viewed in Australia.

His visit comes at a time when there is a lot of negative publicity about PNG in Australia.

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Both TPA and Air Niugini welcomed Ettinghausen’s visit, saying that it would do a lot of good for PNG.

“We’re very pleased to be able to participate in this exercise, especially with a high – profile personality like Andrew Ettinghausen,” said TPA Chief Executive Officer Peter Vincent.

“This is one of the best – available options in terms of costs, as advertising in glossy magazines and television is very expensive.

“Fishing in PNG as a product will be exposed in Australia, and hopefully, we will be able to get more interest and visitors from there.”

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Ettinghausen last fished in PNG in 1991, when during the visit to Rabaul by the Australian Kangaroos to play the Islands Zone, the Cronulla ‘Shark’ caught a 40kg sailfish on board MV Michaelyn, a 40-foot game fishing boat, which was under the command of the late Michael Lee.

His visit also comes at a time when the TPA is embarking on a major exercise to promote PNG’s game fishing, which includes the launch of an exciting new brochure.



Drying talapia in the local village :

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“We consider fishing as a product with much potential,” said TPA Chief Executive Officer Mr Vincent.

To get a copy of this brochure, or fishing in PNG generally, email the TPA at info@pngtourism.org.pg or check out the website www.pngtourism.org.pg.

More information about fishing on the Benderoda estuary can be obtained from website www.pngblackbass.com.

Alternatively, contact Dale McCarthy in Popondetta on telephone (675) 3297148, facsimile (675) 3297971, or email usgdale@global.net.pg.

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What a Beauty ! - now doesnt this just make you want to go fishing down that area of PNG ?

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Local Fishermen :

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A young guy gets in on the action :

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Now Dad gets in on the act :

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The fish that did'nt get away - proud father !