Mahonia Na Dari
Research and Conservation Centre
Kimbe Bay, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea
PO Box 697
KIMBE PNG
Kimbe Bay
Kimbe Bay supports a remarkable
diversity of marine and terrestrial species. In the reefs alone,
840 species of
fish and over 400 species of
coral have been identified and the
possibility of new species remains. For example, Gobiodon species C,
was one of several new species of Gobies identified within the last few
years. Unfortunately, there have been no recent sightings.
The condition and
extraordinary richness of these diverse ecosystems make Kimbe Bay an ideal
location to practice conservation, improve knowledge through monitoring and
research, and launch a bid to heighten environmental awareness in the
community.
The
section of Kimbe Bay nearest to Mahonia is somewhat sheltered by Willaumez
Peninsula. Reefs feature luxuriant coral growth, with spectacular hard coral
formations, masses of crinoids, and a staggering diversity of fishes, 840
species. By comparison, the tropical and
subtropical Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean areas have only
about 500 species of fish in total. About 100 species of
damselfish occur in Papua New Guinea, over six times the number present in
the entire tropical and subtropical Western Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea,
and Gulf of Mexico. Included among the exotica on display are flashlight
fishes, sometimes seen on night dives near Mahonia.
Over
400 coral species are found in Kimbe Bay. Large coral pinnacles and
seamounts that rise to within a few meters of the surface, are
characteristic. Other reef structures include atolls, large barrier
reefs, patch reefs, spur-and-groove systems, and shallow shoals (with their
crests within as little as less than one meter beneath the surface) where
soft corals and sea fans give way to vertiginous walls, the sheerest
drop-offs being found further offshore.
Kimbe Bay is not afflicted by the
presence of sea wasps (Chironex fleckeri), and other nasty stingers are not
a problem. Only a few of the milder jellyfish species are ever encountered,
and not in any abundance in the Bay. Other stinging animals are
present in the waters of Kimbe Bay, including scorpaenid fishes. Sea
snakes are rarely seen in Kimbe Bay, and tend to be wary, shying away from
divers.
The most common shark species is the gray reef shark (Carcharhinus
amblyrhynchos), followed by the placid whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon
obesus), scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini), silvertip (C. albimarginatus),
and blacktip reef shark (C. melanopterus). Rare appearances are made by
silky sharks (C. falcifomis — usually seen with schools of tuna) and there
has been at least one sighting of a mako (Isurus oxyrinchus). Whale sharks (Rhiniodon
typus) are occasionally seen in Kimbe Bay. Spinner dolphins, killer whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, and
other toothed whales are frequently seen in Kimbe Bay.