The Autonomous Region of Bougainville is located in the tropical waters of the Coral Triangle, a global epicenter of marine biodiversity often referred to as the “Amazon of the Seas” because it hosts over three-quarters of known coral species, providing food, habitat and spawning grounds for over 3,000 species of fish, six of seven species of sea turtles, 950 different types of mollusks and 458 species of crustaceans.

Many of those species are endemic or endangered and they need to be protected from illegal fishing, a practice that also poses a major threat to the people of Bougainville since subsistence and artisanal fishing are a pillar of the economy.

Bougainvillean law enforcement agents—with the authority to board, inspect and arrest fishing vessels engaged in criminal activity—will be stationed on board Allankay, working alongside Sea Shepherd crew to patrol the internal waters of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville which consists of two main islands, but also several atolls including remote places like Nissan, the Carterets, the Takuu Atoll, the Nuguria Islands and the Nukumanu Islands.

Home to some of the most remote Melanesian and Polynesian communities in the world, the remote islands are internationally known as “the sinking islands” due to rising sea levels from climate change.

On arrival in Buka, Allankay was welcomed by the H.E. Honorable Ishmael Toroama, President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, who stated that Sea Shepherd Global is supporting the nation during a critical time in the region’s history and noted the arrival of Allankay as “a milestone”, stating that “actions speak louder than words” when thanking Sea Shepherd Global for delivering on a commitment to send a ship to support patrolling efforts.

In 2019, the people of Bougainville voted overwhelmingly for independence from Papua New Guinea through a national referendum, the results of which currently await ratification by the parliament of Papua New Guinea. Until then—unlike the provinces of the rest of the archipelagic country of Papua New Guinea—the Autonomous Bougainville Government manages most of its own internal affairs and has its own policing authority within coastal waters, although its maritime jurisdiction will increase substantially upon independence.

The arrival of Allankay in Buka coincides with the conclusion of the fourth out of four post-referendum consultation talks between the government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government that are being moderated by former New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae. The talks seek to resolve disputes about parliamentary procedure that have stalled negotiations about Bougainville’s political future.

The Honorable Ishmael Toroama has declared that the first of September 2027 will be Bougainville’s Independence Day.

In his speech, Sea Shepherd Global’s Director of Campaigns Peter Hammarstedt said, “As environmentalists, we believe in being proactive rather than reactive in assisting the Autonomous Bougainville Government to tackle the conservation challenges facing the Coral Triangle, one of the most beautiful and important marine ecosystems in the world. Thus, the time to support the People of Bougainville is not tomorrow. It’s not in two years’ time. The time to support is today”.

For more information about this campaign: https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/latest-news/bougainville-committment/