Papua New Guinea to Create Major Marine Sanctuary in Bismarck Sea
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Papua New Guinea (PNG) has announced it will protect approximately 214,000 square kilometers of the Bismarck Sea from all fishing and extractive activity. The Western Manus Marine Protected Area (MPA) will be the largest no-take sanctuary in Melanesia and is designed to benefit both biodiversity and tuna fisheries through the spillover effect. The government will now begin the national process for the MPA's legal designation.
Facts First
- Papua New Guinea will protect 214,000 sq km of the Bismarck Sea from all fishing and extractive activity.
- The Western Manus MPA will be the largest no-take sanctuary in Melanesia, covering 9% of PNG's exclusive economic zone.
- Research shows tuna catch rates increase 12-18% near MPA boundaries due to the spillover effect from protected areas.
- The 2024 survey found exceptionally healthy coral reefs in the region, with over 700 reef fish taxa and 300 hard coral species.
- The MPA will anchor a regional network of protected areas known as the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR).
What Happened
Papua New Guinea announced the creation of the Western Manus Marine Protected Area (MPA), a no-take sanctuary covering approximately 214,000 square kilometers of the Bismarck Sea. The announcement was made at the first-ever Melanesian Ocean Summit in Port Moresby. The MPA boundaries were shaped by tracking the movements of endangered gray reef sharks and encompass geological features like mountains and canyons that channel nutrient-rich water. A 2024 National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition documented the area's biodiversity, including healthy coral reefs, over 700 reef fish taxa, and species new to PNG.
Why this Matters to You
This large-scale protection of ocean habitat may help stabilize regional tuna populations, which could contribute to the long-term sustainability of a major global food source. The establishment of the MPA directly supports the global 30x30 campaign goal to protect 30 percent of the world's oceans by 2030, showing tangible progress in international conservation efforts.
What's Next
Following the summit announcement, the PNG government will begin the national process for the legal designation of the Western Manus MPA. Once established, the sanctuary is expected to anchor the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves (MOCOR), a planned network of national and joint-boundary protected areas across the region.