By DALCY LULUA
THE Government expects to identify the cause of a suspected fish contamination incident in New Ireland Province within the next one to two weeks, according to Fisheries Minister Jelta Wong.
Minister Wong told Parliament that a joint response team comprising officials from the Health Department, Environment authorities, marine biologists, and scientists is actively investigating the issue.
“We’ve been working towards it… we hope to come up with a solution within the next week or two,” he said.
In the meantime, he urged communities to avoid consuming fish from affected areas until scientific testing confirms what chemical or toxin may be present.
“At this point in time, we have to let our people of New Ireland know not to eat that fish… because without scientific data, we don’t know which chemical is in the fish,” Wong said.
The Minister revealed that the Government first became aware of the issue about two months ago through local reports and supporting information from the Treasury.
Investigations are now focusing on identifying the contaminant, with attention also given to agricultural
activities along the coastline, including oil palm operations, which may be contributing factors.
Once the substance is identified, authorities plan to work with the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research to develop appropriate medical treatment or antidotes for those affected.
The update follows urgent concerns raised by newly elected New Ireland Governor Byron Chan, who highlighted what he described as a growing oceanic crisis in parts of the province.
Governor Chan cited reports indicating that more than 3,400 fish from over 15 species have washed ashore in affected areas, while over 750 people-including children-have fallen ill after contact with seawater along the coast.
Communities in Wards 6, 7, and 8 of the Kavieng District, particularly in the TeKena Local Level Government area, have reported symptoms such as painful skin irritation, rashes, welts, and severe itching after entering the sea.
He said villages including Kapkap are among the hardest hit, raising alarm over public health risks and food security.
The Governor also noted that local and international non-government organizations-including groups such as Light Foundation, Island Awareness, and East New Britain Seakeepers are assisting by collecting water samples, conducting interviews, and coordinating scientific reporting despite challenging conditions.
Mr Chan questioned what immediate actions have been taken by the Fisheries Department and called for urgent support to provincial disaster authorities, including funding to provide alternative food supplies for affected communities.
“This is not just a local environmental issue,” he said. “When coastal communities lose the ocean, they lose their food, culture, and safety all at once.”
Minister Wong said they were working closely with disaster teams and relevant ministries, including Health and Environment, to contain the situation and provide further updates once scientific findings are confirmed.