Rapid Marine Biodiversity Assessment of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea—Survey II (2000)

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Marine

This report presents the results of a rapid field assessment of Milne Bay Province, which encompasses the extreme southeastern tip of mainland Papua New Guinea and an extensive offshore area immediately eastward. It covers approximately 265,000 square kilometres, mostly situated in the Solomon Sea, an area heavily dotted with islands and shoals separating PNG from the neighboring Solomon Islands. The province includes three major mainland districts: a
130-km long stretch on the south coast extending between Samarai and Orangerie Bay, Milne Bay proper, and Goodenough Bay, lying immediately northward, and the adjacent southeastern part of Collingwood Bay. Major islands or island groups include the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, Trobriand Islands, Woodlark Island, Egum Atoll, and the Louisiade Archipelago including Rossel Island, Sudest Island, Misima Island, Calvados Chain, Conflict Group, Engineer Group, Sideia Island, and Basilaki Island. In addition, there is a host of widely scattered smaller islands. The entire area is characterized by an extensive and complex system of submerged and emergent coral reefs.