Moray Eel in Palau. Photo: Richard Brooks/ The Pew Charitable Trusts
Papua New Guinea recently announced the establishment of two new marine protected areas off the east coast of New Ireland Province.
The marine protected areas cover 16,000 square kilometres, doubling the area under marine reserve in PNG.
The local team from the Wildlife Conservation Society has been directly involved in the setting up of the MPA over the past seven years.
Local spokesperson Annisah Sapul says the MPAs will create havens for dozens of critically endangered species.
She spoke with RNZ Pacific's Don Wiseman.
