Papua New Guinea has taken a bold step by introducing an unprecedented marine conservation project. Its goal is to preserve approximately 200,000 km² of the ocean in the western region of Manus, in the Bismarck Sea, through strict regulations including the prohibition of fishing and other harmful activities.
Marine Initiative in the Most Biodiverse Ocean
This new Western Manus Marine Protected Area will be part of the Melanesian Ocean Corridor of Reserves, which seeks to connect protected areas in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Vanuatu. This area is envisioned as a large-scale marine sanctuary, comparable in size to the United Kingdom, in one of the planet’s richest regions in biodiversity.
The area will be under a “total fishing ban” policy, which poses a significant challenge in a country where the sea is vital for daily subsistence. Jelta Wong, the minister leading the National Fisheries Authority, emphasized that the project aims to conserve the ecological heritage while ensuring the food and economic resources for its inhabitants.
The announcement was made at the first Melanesia Ocean Summit, held in Port Moresby from May 11 to 14, 2026, bringing together over 500 delegates to discuss marine conservation and sustainable fishing. The next crucial step is to give legal form to this initiative at the national level.
The choice of the area is not random. Papua New Guinea is located in the Coral Triangle, one of the world’s main areas of marine biodiversity, home to over 700 species of reef fish and 300 species of hard corals. The region is known for its underwater mountains and diverse habitats, forming a “marine highway” that connects various ecosystems, crucial for marine life.
The waters host species such as gray reef sharks, dolphins, and whales, seasonally migrating through the area. A National Geographic Pristine Seas study in 2024 detected healthy corals and large schools of fish, although it also warned about the low presence of sharks, indicating pressure from overfishing.
The economic impact could be significant, as the area covers 6.7% of the industrial fishing and 10% of the tuna fishing of the country. However, the “spillover” effect is expected to benefit neighboring communities by allowing more productive fishing in areas adjacent to the protected one.
Papua New Guinea reaffirms its commitment to protect 30% of its waters by 2030, always prioritizing local communities. The protection of the sea is inherent to the identity of the Manus communities, where the ocean is a crucial element of culture and daily sustenance.
The decisive step will be to turn the announcement into an effective legal designation, ensuring surveillance and compliance with the regulations. Cooperation between communities and the fishing sector will be essential for the success of this measure, which seeks a balance between conservation and sustainable economic development.
