Where is milne bay png

Indeed, Papua New Guinea boasts the largest area of intact rainforest outside the Amazon. Ranked as one of the Top 5 most biodiverse countries in the world Papua New Guinea is home to 21, types of higher plants, species of reptiles, 13 species of turtle, species of butterfly, species of mammals and species of bird. Settled around 50, years ago almost 6 million people share this magnificent country. Characterised by mostly subsistence living, ancient traditions and rituals continue to be practiced today.

Due to its extraordinary amount of natural resources the primary industries in Papua New Guinea are mining, petroleum, fishing, forestry and agriculture. Occupying the eastern most tip of continental Papua New Guinea where the Owen Stanley ranges crash into the Pacific, Milne Bay is a world within a world.

With no roads connecting it to the rest of the country Milne Bay is a quiet piece of paradise. Being largely made up of water, the Milne Bay people are great mariners with traditional dugout canoes and sailing boats continuing to dart across the horizon today. David Conn with local artist, Jeffrey Feeger.

There are 10 large islands and about islands and atolls scattered over , square kilometres of ocean. In many areas, the reefs are characterised by dramatic drop-offs and overhangs. Earlier this year, Australian-based Kula Gold was granted a mining lease to develop its Woodlark Island Gold Project about kilometres east of Alotau.

One is located near the north end of Normanby Island; the other is a well known dive site known as the Bubble Bath, located offshore near the mid-north coast of Dobu Island, an extinct volcano. New Britain Palm Oil has a large palm oil plantation, Milne Bay Estates, and there are many small-scale village projects in cocoa and copra production.

Other small agriculture includes vanilla, rice and livestock. There is also a small hectare afforestation plantation at Ulabo. Its seas are packed with the tiny ghost pipe fish, huge manta rays and killer whales, giant marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dogtooth tuna, mackerel, barramundi and the famous Papuan black bass.

There is one local fish market, owned and operated by the Huhu local government. Milne Bay is also the location for an established pearl farm, while Didimus Epo reports overseas investor THC Ltd is currently examining the possibility of a joint venture onshore fisheries investment in the province.

The kundu and kenu festival, I am led to believe, is a national event and therefore should be funded by the national government. Correct me if I am wrong. If not then the Milne Bay tourism board should venture a partnership with a private donar. Milne Bay is also rich in biodiversity. Goodenough Island in Milne Bay Province is also home to the endangered black dorcopsis wallaby and many more. Nature Experiences is one tourism product the Province can tap into.

Also, I would like inform the Milne Bay Tourism Bouquet that our people are not benefiting from their artefacts. The canoe festival is organized by a handful of Milne Bayans on a voluntary basis. This area is renowned for its beautiful coral reefs, a diving resort and for the fascinating culture of some of its islands. It has more than islands, of which about are inhabited. There are about , inhabitants, who speak 48 languages.

Economically the province has few cash-earning resources and most of the inhabitants have a quasi-subsistence lifestyle. There is an oil palm plantation near Alotau airport and villagers grow coconuts and some cocoa.

A gold mine on Misima Island has closed down. The coral reef systems of Milne Bay are some of the most biodiverse in the world, and as such attract equal attention from dive operators and conservation groups.

Occasional cargo vessels connect the islands and it may be possible to get a ride on the deck. But, realistically, the best way to see Milne Bay is by sailing. The province attracts many yachties, particularly from Australia.