News and Public Notices

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) officially welcomed the arrival of Sea Shepherd Global’s vessel Allankay at Buka Port last month, marking the beginning of a partnership in marine protection and enforcement.

This visit follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in October 2024 between the ABG and Sea Shepherd Global, formalising a collaborative effort to strengthen Bougainville’s capacity to protect its marine resources.

ABG President His Excellency Ishmael Toroama led a delegation of Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials to witness the occasion. Among those in attendance were Minister for Primary Industry Hon. Patrick Koles, Minister for Police and Correctional Services Hon. John Bosco Ragu, Minister for Treasury, Finance and Marine Resources Hon. Geraldine Paul, Minister for Public Service Hon. Amanda Masono, Member for Atolls Hon. Pais Taihu, Deputy Police Commissioner and Chief of Bougainville Police Service (BPS) Chief Inspector Francis Tokura, along with senior public servants and members of the BPS.

In his address, President Toroama reflected on Bougainville’s long-standing commitment to protecting its environment, dating back to the Bougainville Crisis.

“From 1988 to 1998, our people fought bravely for the protection of their land, and today we continue to stand tall in their honour,” President Toroama said. “Bougainville may be small in size, but we stand with the international community, moving forward together to serve our people.”

The President also acknowledged the significance of this partnership in the context of Bougainville’s future aspirations.

“It is much better that we can look to a thousand years ahead, but also look to this day as a platform that we can embark in preparing Bougainville towards gaining its sovereignty.”

President Toroama extended his appreciation to Sea Shepherd Global Team Leader Peter Hammarstedt for bringing the Allankay and supporting Bougainville’s marine enforcement efforts.

“It is a milestone that the Bougainville Public Service can get international training which will be critical as we prepare to become an independent, sovereign nation in the near future,” Toroama said.

Joining the occasion were Sea Shepherd Global Director of Campaigns Peter Hammarstedt, Marine Consultant Brent Thompson, and philanthropist Philip Wollen.

Speaking at the event, Hammarstedt thanked President Toroama and the ABG for the warm welcome.

“Sea Shepherd works with governments around the world that have the political will to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing,” Hammarstedt said. “We’ve partnered with governments across Africa and began working with Tuvalu in the South Pacific two years ago. Our partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government marks our 10th government collaboration globally.”

He added that the Allankay, a 54-metre vessel, is crewed by 22 members from 11 different countries, now based in Buka.

“We can take the Bougainville Police Service (BPS), Department of Primary Industry (DPI) where they need to go to carry out their duties,” Hammarstedt explained.

“Sea Shepard is here to support the authorities to carry out their duties. It is the BPS and the DPI that have the authority to board, inspect and arrest violators of Bougainville law and we here to support them in carrying out their duties that makes me very proud,” he added.  

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