Papua New Guinea marine strategy to be launched

The Department of Environment and Conservation is organising to launch the Papua New Guinea Marine Programme Strategy (PNGMPS) as a ‘side event’ coinciding with the upcoming 21st South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP) meeting in Madang, on Friday, September 10, 2010.

The Secretary of Department of Environment & Conservation, Dr Wari Lea Iamo said: “The Minister of Environment & Conservation Hon. Benny Allen will officially launch this important five-year strategic programme (2010-2015), towards the end of the SPREP meeting in Madang that will commence on September 2. 

Dr Wari Iamo

The overarching purpose of the PNGMPS is to provide a framework for government, local communities and corporate citizens in partnership to manage and sustain the capacity of our marine ecosystems and habitats that support PNG’s growing population.

Dr Iamo revealed that PNG’s average growth rate of 3.5% over the last 10 years was starting to impose greater demands on our natural marine resources, especially within the vicinity of urban areas.

“Human population pressure and urbanisation-related development activities are impacting marine habitats and associated marine resources over the years, to such an extent that they have been reduced to rubble littered with anthropogenic wastes (rubbish caused by humans),” Dr Iamo said.

“The PNG Marine Programme Strategy has been nine months in the writing, and will provide a plan of action for concerned stakeholders to work towards in achieving poverty reduction and food security for Papua New Guineans.

“In addition, the country’s unique marine environment and unmatched biodiversity presents numerous opportunities for nature based eco-tourism as well as commercial tourism, augmenting income generation at the local and international market niches.

“So the marine programme strategy is important, as it will allow us to monitor and evaluate through the next five years on how we are managing our marine resources.”

 The program will be updated on an annual basis.

Copies of this document are available from the 4th floor of Somare Foundation Building, Department of Environment Conservation or visit the website @ www.dec.gov.pg.

The address to write to for a copy is:  Department of Environment & Conservation, P O Box 6601, BOROKO 111, NCD or call (675) 325 0180.

For email contact: odir@dec.gov.pg or rrage@dec.gov.pg.