Motupore Island Research Centre

Accommodation

MIRC offers an accommodation hostel capable of housing 24 people (4 to a room). On request, private rooms can be made available for long-term researchers. The hostels are self-catering with all necessary cooking facilities provided (including fridge, freezer and stove). Visitors should bring adequate food supplies for their stay on Motupore. Food and other essential supplies can also be purchased from fully stocked supermarkets in Port Moresby.

All fresh water is supplied by rainfall. Its use is limited during the dry season (May-October). The toilet facilities are serviced with seawater. A bar and restaurant on the adjacent Loloata Island Resort is also available to researchers based at MIRC.

Workshop Facilities

MIRC offers a conference/meeting room that can accommodate up to 50 visitors. Available facilities include whiteboards, an overhead projector and LCD data projection (with dedicated laptop computer).

Transport

MIRC currently has a dedicated road vehicle, but is also able to call upon the University’s transport pool as and when required.

MIRC currently has 4 operational fibreglass boats (5.7–9m), serviced by Yamaha outboard motors (2 x 40hp, 1 x 85hp and 1 x 25hp), used for small scale research projects and transport between Tahira and Motupore Island. MIRC is also currently renovating its research vessel Scomber, an ocean going 10 m fibreglass converted trawler.

Diving Unit

MIRC’s newly refurbished diving unit currently houses a freshwater shower and cleaning tank, bench space, 9 full sets of diving gear (with accessories), 20 sets of snorkelling gear, and underwater video and photography equipment. Although this equipment can be made available, it is primarily for staff use. Researchers wishing to dive should bring their own equipment. MIRC will arrange for an adequate supply of cylinders, weights and weight belts, provided we receive sufficient advance notice.

MIRC has in place Boating, Diving and Snorkelling Codes of Conduct. If you intend undertaking any of these activities, please request a copy from the MIRC Director in advance of your visit, as there are certain requirements that need to be fulfilled.

Local dive sites are comparable with the world’s best.

Marine Studies Library and Study Corridor

The MIRC Marine Studies Library is housed in the newly renovated Constitution House, the location of much of the negotiations on PNG’s constitution in the mid 1970s. The library has over 1000 publications, catalogued on a computer database. This material is available in a mixture of hard and multi-media formats.

Adjacent to the library is a study corridor, which is able to accommodate up to 15 researchers and/or students.

Constitution House is also home to the offices of MIMBU personnel and the Facilities Manager.

Dry Lab

The MIRC Dry Lab is centrally situated and offers two approximately 10m long benches, with adequate work space for up to 10 researchers. The lab is air conditioned and houses microscopic equipment and water quality meters (pH, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity). Visitors should note that MIRC presently has limited resources for laboratory work. Indeed, any ordering of such supplies from Australia will also take time. Researchers should consult with the MIRC Director on those equipment and materials that they will need to bring with them, or time allowing that can be ordered from abroad.

Wet Lab

MIRC’s wet laboratory is currently in a basic condition. Researchers requiring wet lab facilities should discuss their requirements with the MIRC Director to see if they can be met. The Centre also has 7 circular [2.2m diameter] fibreglass open-air seawater tanks, which may be used for educational purposes.

MIRC is aiming to renovate these facilities and is currently sourcing funds for the future establishment of an aquaculture and quarantine facility.

Communications

A telephone line is available to visiting researchers for local calls only. Those visitors wishing to make international calls may use the Director’s line at a cost of 5 Kina/minute.

A computer is also available for visitors’ use, though visitors should note that MIRC’s current internet connection speed peaks at 19.2 kb/s through the University server. MIRC is served by radio-phones.

MIRC has a wireless network installed for its computer facilities in Constitution House. This is expected to be fully operational in 2007.

Power

The main source of power on Motupore is a diesel generator. MIRC is serviced by 240 volt outlets. Please keep clear of the generator shed at all times. Power is shut down periodically for generator cleaning and servicing.

MIRC is investigating alternative power supplies, and has installed solar panels for the supply of hot water.