Pumice wash-up cuts transport, hits food supply in Baon village, Manus

Residents of Baon Village on Lou Island, under the Balopa Local Level Government in Manus Province, are calling for urgent government assistance after pumice stones washed ashore along their coastline. The unusual event is believed to be linked to recent submarine volcanic activity in the Bismarck Sea.

The pumice arrival, which began June 3–4, is the first time the community has experienced such an occurrence.

Local leaders say it has disrupted transport services, food supply access, and daily livelihoods.
Baon Village is a subsistence and cash-crop farming community, with most residents relying on garden produce sold at Lorengau Market for income.

The sea also plays a vital role in food security and daily living. However, since the pumice washed ashore, transport between Lou Island and mainland Manus has been severely affected, preventing villagers from selling their produce and impacting household income.

Deputy President of the Balopa Local Level Government, Raymond Simeku, said the community’s way of life has been heavily affected.

“We live on the sea and depend on it for our daily living. This pumice has really affected our way of life,” he said.

He also raised concerns about water shortages and changes to daily routines.

“Since the pumice arrived, we are now forced to use our limited water tanks, which we normally reserve for cooking and essential use,” he added.

Simeku further warned of possible environmental impacts on marine life in the area.

“We are starting to see signs of dead marine life in the sea, and our people depend entirely on the ocean for food and survival,” he said.

The community is calling for urgent support from the Manus Provincial Government, including assistance from the National Government, to respond quickly to the situation.

They are seeking transport support to move garden produce to Lorengau town and additional water tanks, as water shortages worsen due to reliance on stored supplies for cooking and daily use.

Assistance is also being requested from the provincial disaster office to provide proper awareness and information to affected communities like Boan, regarding the situation and any safety implications.

The situation is being monitored by the Manus Provincial Administration in coordination with the Balopa LLG. Technical assessments are also expected from relevant national agencies, including the National Disaster Centre [NDC] and other government disaster response and environmental monitoring authorities.