The Pacific Marine Litter Challenge programme was the result of a partnership between the Vanuatu Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and their Oceans Division, the Department of Environment and the Solomon Islands Government.

The Pacific Marine Litter Challenge was organised as part of the CLiP. Basically, it is a competition with categories for children (6 years and above), artists, students and entrepreneurs.

 Principal Investigator leading the CLiP project in the Pacific, Thomas Maes stated, “It has been a pleasure to work with Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands to tackle the emerging issue of marine litter.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much! We only have one earth and our oceans are vital to our existence. We should all work together on keeping our oceans clean, healthy and sustainable for future generations to enjoy.

“To stop marine litter, we thus need a unified vision and a plan of action while developing ways of working together at national, regional and global scales.”

Plastic pollution is one of the most widespread problems affecting our oceans today. As stimulating as the issue may sound, marine litter is never an easy challenge to tackle.

Developing adequate responses to this issue is a challenge where urgent, coordinated and effective action is required, especially from both the Government and NGOs.

Chosen by an international panel of judges, including UK High Commissioner David Ward, and presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, Ralph Regenvanu, the winners are listed below.

Junior Art Competition Ages 6-11:

Solomon Islands:

First Prize (Solomon Islands): Marion Mac Bibimauri, Age 6

Second Prize (Solomon Islands): Emersyn Geo, Age 9

Third Prize (Solomon Islands): Zanetti Feni, Age 10

Vanuatu:

First Prize (Vanuatu): Mathias Schneider, Age 11

Second Prize (Vanuatu): Kawenu School, Group work

Third Prize (Vanuatu): Klayton J. Mala, Age 10

Senior Art Competition Ages 12-17:

Solomon Islands:

First Prize (Solomon Islands): Vahid Hohori, Age 13

Second Prize (Solomon Islands): George Jnr Hairiu, Age 13

Third Prize (Solomon Islands): Philemon Akao, Age 15

Vanuatu:

First Prize (Vanuatu): Tania Mabon, Age 17

Second Prize (Vanuatu): Central School, Group work

Third Prize (Vanuatu): Siviana Liu, Age 16

Student Ideas Competition:

First Prize: Josaia Uluinaceva, Fiji, new technology application

Second Prize: Timothy Massing, Vanuatu, new regulation/policy

Third Prize: Timothy Massing, Vanuatu, new business concept

Entrepreneurs, Micro to small business Innovation Competition:

First Prize: Plasticwise Gizo, Solomon Islands

Second Prize: Jeremy Baea, Solomon Islands

Third Prize: Erakor Bridge Community, Vanuatu

CLiP is an initiative of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), an executive agency of the United Kingdom Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

By Adorina Massing

https://www.dailypost.vu/news/clip-congratulates-marine-litter-challenge-winners/article_d67fd26d-aaae-53bb-8fcf-dfb58d147b89.html