Our planet faces many serious environmental problems, among them global climate change, land degradation, soil erosion and pollution of the biosphere. There is though an even more serious problem that surpasses all others in term of importance - loss of biodiversity (extinction of species), as the most severe and irreversible consequence. Around the world, humans are responsible for a worsening trend of net loss in the amount of "untouched", natural habitats that cover our planet. Even though the working groups involved in this excursion are no specialists in their assigned field, it was still our aim to identify as many organisms as possible (although, the sheer amount of organimic diversity just flooded both our eyes and recognition). The manifold display of live present on these reefs becomes even more valuable if we consider that many of them are lost even before scientists had a chance to document the rich array of organisms that thrive in our biosphere and determine their potential benefit to human kind; perhaps as sources for new medical treatments or economic livelihood. At a global level, there are roughly 25 regional land areas that account for 40% or more of all terrestrial diversity which are at great risk (see also threats to reefs).
PNG, fortunately, is still an area that is largely prestine, man-made impacts are low, and the natural beauty still acceptable. PNG is probably one of the few Southeast Asian countries that has this natural framework; and if ever this country decides to make profit out of this natural resource, this it should be done carefully and under strict surveillance in order to maintain the natural environment.

PNG is part of the "coral triangle" that comprises countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and Australia. It houses the most biological diverse coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grass beds in the world.
The waters of PNG are shallow over extensive areas, and there are innumerable islands both large and small. In places, such as the Gulf of Papua, the water is turbid from the inflow of large rivers and coral growth is restricted.

There are innumerable fringing, platform and bank reefs, some small barrier reefs and a few atoll-like formations. The reef life is extremely rich and diverse, and the area is generally considered as one of the faunistic center of the entire Indo-Pacific region.
Between the Coral Sea and the Solomon Sea lies a beautiful and intricate chain of pristine volcanic peaks, coral islands and reefs. It is part of Milne Bay Province, PNG's largest maritime province and with only 180E³ inhabitants - one of its least populated.
Although there are several large-scale development projects in the province (including mining, proposed oil drilling projects, coconut and oil-palm plantations), most people make their living primarily by subsistence farming, fishing, hunting, and the occasional sale of products from these activities.

Physical environment: The climate is monsoonal, tropical, with much of the year being hot, still, and humid. During November to March a prevailing westerly and north-westerly rain-bearing monsoon dominates, while a dry south-easterly trade winds become evident from May to September.
Being close to the equator, parts of PNG are rarely affected by hurricanes but are exposed to strong oceanic swells. The underwater current patterns in the visited area are highly complex and strongly localized. These are generally influenced by tides, although, there does not appear to be a significant tidal fluctuation. Several sites reveal strong currents on one side of the reef, while 100-200m away on the sheltered side, virtually no current is evident. Sea temperatures range from 25 to 27°C (month of September).
Large areas of PNG are part of the "Ring of Fire" a geological active zone that is constituted of several volcanoes, hydro-thermal vents, and hot springs. Especially the northern edge of PNG is subject to earthquakes and tsunamis.

Reef morphology: Four major types of reef structures are present in Milne Bay Province; fringing reefs, platform reefs, atolls, and barrier reefs.
The major habitats can be divided into various categories depending on their degree of exposure to wind, waves, and currents. Exposed seaward reefs lie at one end of the spectrum while sheltered lagoon-type reefs at the other end. In-between, there is a range of intermediate reef types which combines various proportions of outer shore and lagoon properties.
The visited sites broadly can be classified as follows:

• Visited platform and patch reefs:

• Visited fringing reefs:

Initially, the various working groups were given different phyla to work with: annelids, echinodermata, scolicidae, molluscs, crustacea, chordata, pisces; our group was given the task to document the manifold diversity of porifera (sponges), cnidaria (also known as coelenterates like hydroids, jellyfish, corals sea anemones and black corals) and whenever possible to document the presence of bryozoa (moss animals).