Motupore Island Research Centre
HOME | Location | Personnel | Facilities | Research | Education | VIP | Booking MIRC Facilities | Links | Contact Us
Photographer: David Harasti

Seahorse diversity, distribution and trade in PNG

Funding Organisation: Australia and Pacific Science Foundation

Funds Awarded: 29,900 AUD (approximately 70,000 Kina)

Partners: Project Seahorse, Loloata Island Resort

Duration: February 2006 – January 2008

Seahorses are exploited for their medicinal properties, as curios and as live fish for the aquarium trade. There are few data available for seahorse trade in Oceania, outside Australia and New Zealand. Small artisanal fisheries have existed in Milne Bay, PNG but the current status of these or other fisheries in PNG is unknown. Furthermore there is a dearth of information on seahorse diversity and ecology. With the collaboration of Project Seahorse, MIRC aims to improve local and global knowledge of these unique fishes, specifically regarding their biology, ecology, occurrence and distribution in PNG, while also understanding PNG’s contribution to international trade. The project has a dedicated Research Assistant in Ms Geua Ganiga, based on Motupore Island. The PNG Institute of Biodiversity has assisted this project with the provision of a computer. Loloata Island Resort will also be involved with survey work in Bootless Bay.

 

 

 

Back to Research Projects