Waste Management and Pollution Control
22 September, 2015, Apia, Samoa, 26SM Side Event Update - A side event was organised at the 26th SPREP Meeting to highlight the work that is being coordinated in the Pacific to address the management of marine litter in the region. Presenters from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Solomon Islands Government, the Environmental Protection Agency of American Samoa, and World Animal Protection all shared the initiatives their governments and organisations are doing to address marine litter in the Pacific.
SPREP presenters, Ms. Kelsey Richardson and Mr. Anthony Talouli, shared some of the data and research on the Pacific geographical areas of concern, the types of litter and the volumes involved, when discussing the work SPREP is doing in the region to address waste management and pollution control.
Solomon Islands' Dr Melchoir Mataki shared how waste programmes in his country hadn't made a dent in people's attitude and behavior, but by focusing on marine litter they have had some success in educating the population. After installing river booms on the Mataniko River in Honiara in June 2015, they have been able to identify the type and volume of waste coming from communities living alongside the river. "The results have indicated deficiencies in solid waste collection services in Honiara," said Dr Mataki.
Mr. Fa'amao Asalele from the Environmental Protection Agency of American Samoa shared how very little waste is exported from the territory due to the huge expense of shipping recyclable and non-recyclable waste off the island. Identifying contributors to marine pollution while building a sense of stewardship was all part of the Marine Debris Program their agency has initiated. American Samoa is the first US territory to pass legislation to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags, with legislation on banning polystyrene/Styrofoam is pending.
Ghost fishing gear of 640,000 tonnes is dumped into the oceans every year. Over 90% of species that are caught, stranded, tangled or damaged by global ghost fishing gear are of commercial value accounting for 5-15% loss to fish stocks. The Sea Change Campaign seeks to prevent one million animals from being accidently killed by ghost gear in 2018. Ingrid Giskes from World Animal Protection says the campaign seeks to build evidence, define policy and best practice, then use this to catalyse and replicate solutions
Presenters: Mr. Anthony Talouli - Pollution Advisor at SPREP, Ms. Kelsey Richardson - Pollution Management Assistant at SPREP, Dr Melchoir Mataki - Permanent Secretary, MECDM, Solomon Islands, Mr. Fa'amao Asalele - Deputy Director, AS-EPA, American Samoa, Ms. Ingrid Giskes - External Affairs Project Manager - Asia Pacific, WAP
Partners: SPREP, CSIRO, Solomon Islands Government, Samoa Government, Global Ghost Gear Initiative, GPML, Ocean Conservancy, GPA
L - R Mr Anthony Talouli, Ms. Kelsey Richardson, Ms. Ingrid Giskes,
Mr. Fa'amao Asalele, Dr Melchior Mataki, Mr. Kosi Latu
SPREP presenters, Ms. Kelsey Richardson and Mr. Anthony Talouli, shared some of the data and research on the Pacific geographical areas of concern, the types of litter and the volumes involved, when discussing the work SPREP is doing in the region to address waste management and pollution control.
Solomon Islands' Dr Melchoir Mataki shared how waste programmes in his country hadn't made a dent in people's attitude and behavior, but by focusing on marine litter they have had some success in educating the population. After installing river booms on the Mataniko River in Honiara in June 2015, they have been able to identify the type and volume of waste coming from communities living alongside the river. "The results have indicated deficiencies in solid waste collection services in Honiara," said Dr Mataki.
L - R Mr Fa'amao Asalele and Dr Melchior Mataki presenting at the side event
Mr. Fa'amao Asalele from the Environmental Protection Agency of American Samoa shared how very little waste is exported from the territory due to the huge expense of shipping recyclable and non-recyclable waste off the island. Identifying contributors to marine pollution while building a sense of stewardship was all part of the Marine Debris Program their agency has initiated. American Samoa is the first US territory to pass legislation to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags, with legislation on banning polystyrene/Styrofoam is pending.
Ghost fishing gear of 640,000 tonnes is dumped into the oceans every year. Over 90% of species that are caught, stranded, tangled or damaged by global ghost fishing gear are of commercial value accounting for 5-15% loss to fish stocks. The Sea Change Campaign seeks to prevent one million animals from being accidently killed by ghost gear in 2018. Ingrid Giskes from World Animal Protection says the campaign seeks to build evidence, define policy and best practice, then use this to catalyse and replicate solutions
Presenters: Mr. Anthony Talouli - Pollution Advisor at SPREP, Ms. Kelsey Richardson - Pollution Management Assistant at SPREP, Dr Melchoir Mataki - Permanent Secretary, MECDM, Solomon Islands, Mr. Fa'amao Asalele - Deputy Director, AS-EPA, American Samoa, Ms. Ingrid Giskes - External Affairs Project Manager - Asia Pacific, WAP
Partners: SPREP, CSIRO, Solomon Islands Government, Samoa Government, Global Ghost Gear Initiative, GPML, Ocean Conservancy, GPA