By Ron Rocky Coloma
At the core of the Coral Triangle, Papua New Guinea emerges as a stronghold of marine biodiversity. The country’s waters teem with life, from critically endangered sawfishes and rhino rays to the world’s richest concentration of clownfish diversity.
This remarkable ecosystem is the focus of a pioneering expedition by Pristine Seas, led by Alan Friedlander, chief scientist for National Geographic's Pristine Seas Project.
The mission, part of a global initiative, aims to uncover the secrets of Papua New Guinea’s underwater world while supporting local conservation efforts.
“Our goals are to research the unique biodiversity of Papua New Guinea and highlight the beauty of its waters to both the people of Papua New Guinea and the world,” Friedlander said.
The expedition focuses on the locally protected regions of Lovongai and Murat, as well as the Western Islands, all of which are biodiversity hotspots.
Papua New Guinea’s significance in the global context cannot be overstated.
As Friedlander said, “Papua New Guinea is one of the last places on earth where populations of critically endangered sawfishes and rhino rays can still be found.”
The research conducted here will not only enhance local conservation efforts but also contribute to global strategies for protecting these and other vulnerable species.
The expedition employs cutting-edge research methods, combining traditional scuba diving with advanced technologies like environmental DNA sampling and deep-sea cameras.
“We use a combination of methods involving scuba diving, cameras and eDNA to conduct our biodiversity assessments,” Friedlander said.
This comprehensive approach allows the team to gather data from shallow reefs to the mysterious depths of the ocean, providing a complete snapshot of the ecosystem’s health.
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the research is the use of eDNA, which Friedlander describes as “the most advanced and efficient means to describe the biodiversity of areas, particularly remote areas under the logistic constraints of ship-based operations.”
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This technique is crucial for detecting species that are either too small or too rare to be seen through other methods, offering invaluable insights into the hidden corners of Papua New Guinea’s marine environment.
Conducting research in such a remote and diverse environment is facing some challenges. Friedlander noted the logistical and technical difficulties encountered such as maintaining equipment in extreme conditions and troubleshooting new and experimental eDNA sampling gear.
Despite these challenges, the team’s perseverance has paid off with significant discoveries. “Our first month at sea was spent near the islands of Murat and Lovongai,” Friedlander said.
The team found coral reefs teeming with life, unique deep-sea creatures and large open ocean predators.
However, they also observed worrying signs of environmental decline, with some reefs in poor condition due to climate change, industrial fishing and local overfishing.
A key aspect of the expedition is the involvement of local communities, whose knowledge and traditional practices are invaluable for conservation.
“The ocean has provided important cultural connections and life-sustaining services for the people of Oceania for millennia,” Friedlander said.
The team was warmly welcomed by local communities, who shared their knowledge and concerns about the declining health of their nearshore environments.
Friedlander highlighted the success of the tambu areas—indigenous locally protected places—where fish populations and coral health were noticeably better than in unprotected areas.
“Our findings highlight the fact that local stewardship is essential to sustaining these communities,” he said.
As the expedition continues, the team hopes to complete a comprehensive biodiversity and ecosystem health assessment that will inform future marine protected areas in Papua New Guinea.
“After the conclusion of the expedition, we will be focusing on analyzing the data collected, preparing a film on the outcomes and most importantly, returning to the community to share the film and our findings,” Friedlander said.
Reflecting on his decades-long career and the significance of this expedition, Friedlander raised concerns about the future of marine conservation in PNG and similar regions.
“The people of Oceania are at the frontline of climate change,” he said. “While these changes will fundamentally alter the world in ways we cannot fully predict, the resilience shown by the people of Oceania in the past gives us some hope.”
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