BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
A leading marine scientist has raised the alarm over the future of one of Solomon Islands’ richest marine biodiversity hotspots, warning that unchecked mining activities could permanently damage Thousand Ships Bay in Isabel Province.
Dr. Lindon Havimana sounded the warning after sharing his scientific findings on the popular Isabel Province Youth Forum Facebook page.
He described Thousand Ships Bay — the strait separating the mainland and San Jorge Island as an ecological treasure that supports some of the country’s most productive marine ecosystems.
According to Havimana, the bay’s unique geography, ideal water quality, and high levels of nutrients delivered by several rivers make it an exceptionally fertile environment for marine life.
He explained that the mixing of nutrient-rich freshwater and the bay’s oceanic waters creates a highly productive environment that sustains a variety of marine species, for instance the planktons.
Havimana said both phytoplankton and zooplankton form the foundation of the marine food web, supporting fish, invertebrates and countless other sea creatures that depend on these organisms for survival.
He said the bay also hosts interconnected ecosystems — mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs — which serve as crucial nursery grounds.
Havimana said mangroves and seagrass offer breeding habitats and shelter for juvenile fish, crabs and other marine species, while coral reefs provide key structures for spawning and feeding.
He highlighted several unique underwater locations within the bay where strong currents and steep coral reef cliffs create ideal spawning sites, particularly for pelagic species and damselfish.
“These conditions create a perfect natural setting for male and female fish to meet up for reproductive purposes.
“During high tide, the fish gather in these areas as the strong currents and steep drop-off provide a safe and dynamic space for the spawning process,” Havimana said.
He added that fertilised eggs are swept into deeper waters by strong currents, reducing the risk of predation and increasing the likelihood of survival.
Havimana said the combination of powerful currents and steep coral cliffs ensures wide dispersal of eggs into safer parts of the ocean.
He also pointed to research showing that schools of bonito (Katsuwonus pelamis) entering Thousand Ships Bay follow a unique migratory route, navigating through deep channels before edging close to the San Jorge side, where food availability and favourable environmental conditions draw them into unusually shallow waters.
“There are areas within the bay where bonito can be found at depths of just 3 to 6 metres and as close as 50 to 100 metres from the shoreline — a rare occurrence for a species typically found far offshore.
“This makes Thousand Ships Bay an exceptional location for bonito fishing,” Havimana said.
Local communities have long relied on this migration pattern, using traditional Gria fishing techniques — a system, Havimana says perfectly demonstrates that human practices and natural ecosystems can co-exist in harmony.
He warned that this delicate balance is now under threat.
Havimana said the introduction of excessive sediment from mining, he said, could smother coral reefs, destroy spawning grounds, and severely degrade water quality — impacts that would ripple through the entire food chain and disrupt the livelihoods of nearby communities.
“The situation requires immediate attention to ensure that the ecological treasures of the bay are protected for future generations,” he stressed.
“We must ensure that any future developments, particularly mining, are conducted transparently and with full consideration of their environmental impacts on these vital ecosystems. Be mindful with developments that are extractive, given our heavy reliance on ecosystem services that exist in the bay.”
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