Lake Murray, Papua New Guinea

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Lake Murray is the largest lake in Papua New Guinea. Lake Murray is located in the Western Province at 7° S 141.5° E, it covers approximately 430 km² and in the wet season increases to many times the size. The lake has been a source of nourishment for many of the local peoples. Freshwater sawfish have been caught in its shallow waters to feed the crocodiles in a freshwater crocodile farming operation. Also in the muddy lake bottom are a species of freshwater mussel which is good to eat. To find the mussel you need to jump in the water and run your hands around through the silky mud bottom until you feel the edge of a shell. Keeping one hand on that shell and sweeping in the immediate proximity with your free hand will bring you upon the other member of the mussel couple. It seems the male and female are always close together. In a short time you will have quite a feast of mussels. This was before the Ok Tedi Mine upstream in mid 1980.