Solomon Islands Govt Registers Marine Protected Area

Solomon Island's Provincial Government Registers Marine Protected Area

The first Solomon Island community to request assistance from OceansWatch to help them manage their marine resources has  had their MPA recognised by the Provincial Government.  OceansWatch Solomon Island's director Willie Sau Kaitu'u reports: "The Rennell Bellona provincial Executive agreed in their meeting today, to recognize the Marine Protected Area on Rennell Island."

This was a result of a lot of hardwork by Willie, Derek Pongi and others on Rennell, especially Joseph and the Reef Guardians. To those of you such as Gardner, Alison, Cleo, Noelle, Bara, Joetta, Irene, Katherine and Emily who helped in the field a big thank you. As OceansWatch followers know we are a community driven organisation, here to serve people and their environment but it's also great to get our work recognised at higher levels too. 

The second OceansWatch yacht for 2013 is now on its way to Vanuatu. Onboard Cat Knapp are Glenn Edney, the skipper and Shelly Feduniw and Amick Houssaune. 

They will be supporting communities in Northern Vanuatu to manage their marine resources. To help them with the trip Skye Briggs flew over from Austrailia. Skye is an experienced sailor and Marine Biologist who has been following us for awhile and jumped at the chance for a sail and to get involved.

The teams will be joined in Vanuatu by Paula Anton Codena from Andorra, a very well qualified marine biologist who will head up the Solomon Island marine team, and Jordon Smith-Newman from the US, a marine graduate who will join the Vanuatu team.

Before Cat Knapp left Tutukaka marina a bundle of penpal letters was delivered by teacher and daughter Alison and Nina James.  These are from Ponsonby Intermediate School's Eco Warrior's group who want to make contact with a school in a developing country where they are experiencing the effects of climate change.  We are hoping the intermediate class at the High school on Fenualoa, Reef Islands, SI will write back and tell them about life on a small Pacific island.

Thanks to those of you who ordered an OceansWatch cap and sticker.  We still have some of these available if you would like to support this years project. $40 for both, please order here.

ENDS

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