Political situation in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea investigates mass deaths in fishing waters

The government in Papua New Guinea is warning people not to fish off one of the country's largest islands, reports The Guardian. This after residents have been raising the alarm for several months about dead marine life, and preliminary tests have shown traces of metals.

Six months ago, there were reports that an unusually large number of dead fish had washed ashore. According to environmental organizations, more than 1,000 people have become ill after ingesting contaminated water or food.

Residents have also reported that the sea water smells of sulfur and is murky than usual. Papua New Guinea is largely dependent on fishing, both to put food on the table and for income. 

“We are suffering – the sea is our grocery store and our garden”

The government in Papua New Guinea is being criticized for not acting quickly enough about the contaminated water off one of the Pacific nation’s largest islands.

Affected villages, which are heavily dependent on fishing, also believe they have not received enough help. Local leader Martha Piwas says, according to The Guardian, that people are getting sick and that mothers cannot provide their children with fish.

– We are suffering because the sea is our grocery store and our garden.