PAPUA NEW GUINEA - July 2000
Install mooring buoys to protect marine biodiversity
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Papua New Guinea (PNG) harbors some of the world's greatest marine biodiversity. A single bay in PNG has more coral species than the entire Caribbean. The health of PNG's coral ecosystems is threatened by damage from boat anchors and chains. To mitigate this damage the local nonprofit organization Mahonia Na Dari ("guardians of the sea" in a local dialect) and the PNG Divers Association have begun to install mooring buoys in fragile reef areas throughout PNG. Seacology's grant covered the cost of new equipment, which will enable 200 mooring buoys to be installed. In order to insure the long term protection of PNG's marine biodiversity, Mahonia Na Dari supplemented the buoy installation project with a marine education program for indigenous Papua New Guineans. Seacology's funds are assisted with the production and distribution of educational materials to schools in PNG.
UPDATE July 2004 - To date, approximately 78 moorings have been installed in PNG with the Seacology -funded drill rig. Five more moorings are scheduled to occur this year around Kavieng in the New Ireland Province, weather permitting.
UPDATE July 2005 - Approximately 83 moorings have been installed in PNG with the Seacology-funded drill rig.
