Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, along- side Minister for Fisheries Hon. Jelta Wong, today announced a transformative leap in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) environmental stewardship and regional leadership.
In a landmark move for the “Blue Pacific Continent,” the National Government has formally created the ‘Western Manus National Marine Sanctuary’. This 214,000-square-kilometer “no-take” zone is the largest in Melanesia, accounting for approximately 9% of PNG’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
A Commitment to Global Biodiversity
The Prime Minister emphasized that with PNG holding 6 to 7 percent of the world’s biodiversity, the nation bears a “huge responsibility” as stewards of the planet’s life-giving properties.
“Sustainable development has always been part of our PNZ DNA,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
“Our environment is our perpetual asset—inherent not just to us, but to the children who come after us. We must ensure our land, forestry, and mining projects are managed with the highest care to minimize impact.”
The shift to “Blue Bonds” and Sustainable Fisheries
Inspired by successful international models like the Seychelles, PNG is moving to monetize conservation through a Blue Bond Facility. This strategy aims to earn revenue from carbon sequestration and the “Blue Bond economy” rather than relying solely on extractive industries.
Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and founder of Pristine Seas, joined the summit to highlight the scientific value of PNG’s waters.
He noted that protected areas act like a “savings account” where the principal is set aside to produce annual returns in the form of increased fish spillover, food security, and tourism.
To protect these “perpetual breeding grounds,” the government will:
Halt Large-Scale Trawling: Commercial fishing will be restricted in designated fragile coastal areas to protect local sustenance and small-market fishing.
Establish a Fisheries Powerhouse: By mobilizing sustainable harvesting across the Pacific, the region aims to become a global leader in marine resources.
Regional Solidarity and Surveillance
The summit was attended by leaders from Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Timor-Leste, signaling a unified Pacific bloc. To support this regional cooperation, PNG announced the opening of new embassies in the Marshall Islands, Tonga, and French Polynesia.
Further, the Prime Minister issued a stern warning to those engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Supported by ICT, satellite tracking, and partnership with the US Navy, PNG has already successfully intercepted and sunk nine illegal vessels.
The Path to COP31
The resolutions from this summit will serve as a foundation for PNG’s advocacy at COP31.
“Last year was about forestry; this year is about the ocean,” the Prime Minister said. “Both are carbon sinks that replenish the Earth. We are moving into a frontier where we conserve and earn from that conservation.”
The government extended its gratitude to the Provincial Governments of Manus, Milne Bay, and Oro for their partnership in making these conservation mile- stones a reality.