Globalization at the Border
PNG residents are also confused about why Indonesian traders are so enthusiastic about looking for fish maw. They never ask. For them, the important thing is they get a high price, up to 10 times higher.
Large lobsters can be easily found in Marukara, Papua New Guinea.
Together with some illegal traders from Indonesia, we prepared to dock on the small island of Marukara off the southern coast of PNG to stay a night. It turned out that the island was not empty. The men on the island shouted angrily at us in a local language that no one on our boat understood.
They were likely the tribe that rightfully owns the island. If so, it\'s dangerous. In a country that still has strong tribal customs, setting foot on customary land belonging to another tribe without permission is a serious violation that can lead to conflict. An even more terrifying possibility, they could be pirates, who are notorious for their ferocity in the Arafura Sea.