An underwater eruption threatens the food supply of isolated villages in Papua New Guinea

Vast expels of pumice from an underwater volcanic eruption in Papua New Guinea are severely disrupting life in coastal communities on Manus Island. Residents report increasing difficulties with fishing and maritime transport, raising fears of food shortages in this isolated region of the Pacific.

The eruption, which is still ongoing, began on May 8 in the Bismarck Sea, about 125 kilometers southeast of Manus Island. According to NASA satellite observations, the volcanic activity has ejected significant amounts of floating pumice and discolored water over a wide area of ​​the sea.

Local officials say the pumice piles are blocking boat traffic and covering some fishing areas. For many coastal communities, whose livelihoods depend almost entirely on the sea, these disruptions are already having a direct impact on daily life.

Jayso James So-on, a local government official, reported that the reefs were covered in volcanic debris and that maritime links to Lorengau, the capital of Manus province, were severely disrupted. He called on provincial authorities to take swift action in response to what he described as a worrying situation.

Experts point out that pumice does not necessarily pose a direct threat to people, but the vast floating rafts it forms can cause significant economic and logistical disruptions. The fishing, transportation, and supply sectors are particularly vulnerable.

In response to the situation, Prime Minister James Marape has asked the relevant agencies to assess the underwater volcanic activity and its consequences. Residents are now hoping for a swift response from the authorities to prevent the current difficulties from escalating into a food crisis in this remote region of the country.