Papua New Guinea (PNG) contains some of the world’s richest marine biodiversity. Not only does this island nation have more species of fish, invertebrates, and corals than any other marine region in the world, but it also supports a large population of threatened species, many of which can be found nowhere else. CORAL's main field site in PNG was located in Madang Province, east of Port Moresby on the northeast side of the island. PNG is one of the world’s major coral reef destinations, possessing an estimated 40,000 square kilometers of coral reefs, sea grass beds, and mangrove forests (jump to map). [1]

Local PNG residents include: Sea Turtles, Manta Rays, White Bonnet Anemone Fish, Purple Eye Hovering Gobies, Hairy Ghost Pipefish, Fusiliers, Barracuda, Marlin, and Tuna. Due to its extraordinary diversity, PNG has become a growing attraction to divers from around the world.

Reef Biodiversity

• 950 species of mollusks
• 430 species of coral
• 1,100 species of reef fish

Reef Facts

• PNG contains an estimated 40,000 square kilometers of coral reefs, sea grass beds, and mangrove forests.
• There are 160 named islands and 500 cays and atolls scattered over 250,000 square kilometers of ocean.
• Several of PNG's coral and fish species can be found nowhere else in the world.
• The waters around PNG boast twice as many fish species as the Red Sea and roughly ten times as many coral species as the Caribbean.

People from the local communities around the Madang Lagoon depend on the reef and its valuable resources for food and income on a daily basis.

Photo credit: Jeff Yonover