BY NED GAGAHE

The Fifth Community-Based Fisheries Dialogue (CBFD5) officially commenced yesterday, September 25 2025, at Ginger Beach Retreat in Northwest Guadalcanal.

This year’s dialogue brings together around 30 participants from across the Pacific region, including civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors (NSAs), to focus on the future of community-based fisheries management in the Pacific.

Organised with support from the Pacific Community (SPC), the dialogue aims to review progress made since previous dialogues, strengthen accountability, share lessons, and explore practical solutions to scale up successful coastal fisheries initiatives.

In a press statement, SPC confirmed that day one of the event “dives deep into what matters most for Pacific coastal fisheries,” setting the stage for future actionable priorities in managing and protecting vital coastal marine resources.

Key outcomes from CBFD5 will be formally presented at the 18th Heads of Fisheries Meeting and the Seventh Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in 2026.

This is to ensure that the voices of local communities, CSOs and NSAs are reflected in regional decision-making processes on coastal fisheries.

The Dialogue is coordinated by the CBFD5 Advisory Group members, with Secretariat support from SPC, and is made possible by the financial support of FAO and MiCOAST.

Now in its fifth year since launching in 2021, the Community-Based Fisheries Dialogue has become a recognised regional mechanism, endorsed by Pacific Fisheries Ministers. It was established in response to the Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ 2016 call to elevate the importance of sustainable coastal fisheries.

The dialogue serves as a platform for CSOs, NSAs, and local communities to:

• Provide policy advice to Pacific leaders on key coastal fisheries challenges.
• Share on-the-ground experiences and lessons from community-based initiatives.
• Engage with governments and regional partners on sustainable coastal fisheries governance.

The CBF Dialogue Advisory Group (CBFD-AG) oversees the planning and implementation of the annual dialogue. It advises SPC on operational aspects such as setting the agenda, selecting participants, and appointing the convenor and vice-convenor.

The first day featured four key sessions:

Session 1 – Updates on CBFD4

Participants reflected on achievements from last year’s dialogue, including how recommendations were taken forward to Pacific fisheries leaders and lessons learned to shape future actions.

Session 2 – Voices of CSOs & NSAs

CSOs and NSAs from across the region shared their experiences—highlighting community-led successes, challenges faced on the ground, and pressing priorities to strengthen local fisheries management.

Session 3 – Information & Awareness

Discussions focused on impact-tracking, behaviour change strategies, and leveraging storytelling platforms like Echoes of Oceania to amplify community voices and foster regional learning.

Session 4 – CBFM Monitoring

Participants explored how local knowledge and accessible technologies can support long-term, intergenerational monitoring of community-based fisheries management (CBFM) across the Pacific.

The dialogue concludes today.

Photos: SPC

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

Six sisters of the Dominican Order in the country successfully held their retreat at the Charity Sisters’ facility at Buma Catholic Station, Malaita Province. 

The retreat which ran from September 20-24, is an annual event that the Dominican Sisters hold to have free time and revisit the journey they have gone through. 

According to the retreat master, Fr John Adai, it is the precise time for them to stop their daily work of spreading the gospel and look back on their journey. 

He said that during such a programme, they also spend their time in prayer and personal reflection. 

“The most important thing is that it is a time to stop and look back. A time to make a redirection for a new start. A beautiful time of prayer and personal reflection,” said Fr Adai.

He stressed that it is also a time to look back, re-strengthen, and revitalise.

Fr Adai mentioned that retreat programs are organized annually and recollections are held monthly.

Meanwhile, media reports indicate that the Dominican Sisters are diverse Catholic women who belong to various congregations within the Order of Preachers founded by St. Dominic.

They are also as mentioned, devoted to living by the Dominican charism through prayer, study, community, and ministry and often focus on teaching, caring for the poor and suffering, preaching the gospel, and advocating for justice.

Also stated is that their daily life is structured around four pillars namely; engaging in consistent prayer, academic study, fostering community life, and serving others in various ministries.

The primary mission of the Dominican Sisters is to preach the truth of the Gospel to others.

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BY NED GAGAHE

A young voice from Malaita has raised serious alarm at the United Nations, warning that indigenous youth in the Solomon Islands are at risk of losing control over their land, culture, and economy by the year 2050.

Maverick Peter Seda, speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva this week, addressed the international community on behalf of indigenous youth and the Malaita Provincial Youth Council.

Seda, a recipient of the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, said the future of young people in Malaita is increasingly under threat due to growing environmental and economic pressures.

“For us, land and ocean are not just resources. They are our identity, our way of life, and the foundation of how we govern ourselves,” Seda said.

He stressed that traditional practices such as storytelling, hunting, cooking, and customary justice are not only cultural expressions but also tools for conflict resolution and leadership.

Seda said Malaita, which holds the largest ocean territory in the Solomon Islands, is facing an increase in seabed mining activity and illegal fishing.

He highlighted that these environmental threats are eroding both biodiversity and cultural survival.

“These are not just environmental issues. They are human rights issues. If our oceans are destroyed, so is our culture,” he said.

Seda warns of increasing economic marginalization of indigenous youth, as foreign investors gain dominance over local industries.

“If this trend continues, by 2050, indigenous youth may no longer have any control over their economic future,” he told the council.

He calls on international leaders to recognize the direct link between economic displacement and cultural erosion.

In response, Seda highlighted two grassroots initiatives from Malaita that are giving youth a voice and helping to protect traditional knowledge.

The Malaitolo Programme – A school-based programme that integrates traditional land and ecological knowledge into the high school curriculum.

The Tea-Room Project – A community hub that provides space for indigenous youth to access traditional knowledge and engage in open dialogue on leadership, culture, and civic responsibility.

Seda said these projects show how indigenous communities are building their own solutions—efforts that deserve support.

In his closing remarks, he aligned Malaita’s struggle with those of other Pacific indigenous communities facing similar challenges.

“The future of our region depends on how we protect our youth, our culture, and our land today. We call on the world to support indigenous-led solutions, not just foreign interests,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The “Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Children and Families Advanced Training” concludes today, Friday, 26th September.

The week-long training, conducted at the UN Joint Presence Office Conference Room, ANZ Building at Ranadi in Honiara, is designed to equip provincial mental health workers with necessary skills to effectively address mental health challenges.

Hellen Kwai, representing the Mental Health, Acute Clinic at the National Referral Hospital, in an interview with Island Sun, shares her experience about the training.

Speaking about Thursday, the fourth day of the training, she said the training was about child development.

Kwai also said the training is crucial as it enables them to engage with patients

“Additionally, it is vital for me to assist communities by sharing what I have learned during the training,” she said.

One of the topics that stood out to her from the training is “trauma”, in particular, on how children can become traumatised at home due to violence between their parents.

“When a child experiences trauma, the recovery process can be lengthy, while some may recover more quickly. Typically, it takes about six months to heal from trauma; however, this duration can differ between children and adults. As a mental health nurse, I plan to return to my community to raise awareness in churches and schools regarding what both parents and children need to understand,” Kwai said.

She added that stigma currently poses a considerable challenge for individuals on the streets.

“But we must not stigmatise them simply because they are ill. Their condition is similar to other illnesses in that it can be treated with appropriate care. They are experiencing mental illness. This workshop aims to dismantle such misconceptions,” she said.

Kwai expressed her desire to witness this form of training being implemented within communities and urges her colleagues to disseminate the information to others and participate in future sessions.

She furthered that her recommendation is to acknowledge the presence of many individuals with mental health issues on the streets.

“It is important to treat them with respect and offer assistance when they require it. Avoid stigmatising them,” Kwai said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Dr Cealdro Alependava from Gizo Hospital in the Western Province said that the Advanced Training on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Children and Families is relevant.

The 38-year-old, who collaborates closely with the mental health coordinator of the Western Province, has participated in the week-long training, which concludes today, Friday, 26 September, 2025.

In his capacity as a mental health counsellor, his responsibility is to assist patients and children impacted by mental health issues.

In an interview conducted yesterday, Dr Alependava said that the training is highly relevant, particularly considering the existing gaps in the specialised focus directed towards children and adults facing mental health challenges.

“We also learned that resilience is a crucial element of children’s development, particularly regarding how they cope with stress and trauma, as well as their self-perception.

“This is significant because, at present, we are not sufficiently attentive to the development of children from birth through youth,” he said.

Dr Alependava expressed that the training empowers them as counsellors to address this gap, which is critically important in terms of how they reflect on their roles.

“Often, we approach our work in our own manner, and it is equally vital for us as health professionals to provide the best mental health care to those in need.

“This workshop will certainly create a positive impact in the coming years if those of us who attended the training consider and implement the knowledge we have gained,” he said.

Dr Alependava mentioned that the training provided insights on how they can contribute to preventing substance abuse and gender-based violence within society.

“Therefore, if we begin focusing on a child’s mental health from an early age, we can certainly anticipate a brighter future,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Children who suffer severe trauma from situations such as rape, witnessing the death of a parent, or from other violent experiences go through a predictable healing process.

Dr Koen Sevenants, a consultant with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), highlights this during an advanced training on mental health and psychosocial support.

He said while only a few children may require formal counselling, it is crucial to distinguish between moderate and severe trauma to understand how children recover.

“In the first two weeks after a traumatic event, children tend to be either very active or passive,” he said.

He said that some may isolate themselves and show little energy, while others may appear restless.

To add on, Dr Sevenants said after this initial period, children typically enter a phase known as dissociation, which can last up to three months.

“Dissociation is a natural form of self-protection. It allows children to separate their emotions from what they know has happened. It’s a way of escaping pain. They know what happened, but they don’t feel anything,” Dr Sevenants said.

He stated that as children slowly come out of dissociation, they begin to reconnect with painful emotions that can trigger panic attacks, aggression, or other challenging behaviours.

“They may step in and out of dissociation repeatedly before they fully face their feelings,” he said, adding that new trauma or re-traumatisation can push a child back into dissociation.

Dr Sevenants stressed that it is during this time that parents, teachers and caregivers should provide safety and stability but avoid sudden surprises such as birthday parties or unplanned outings.

“If after six months a child shows no signs of emotional release, such as crying or expressing anger, professional counselling becomes necessary,” he said.

Dr Sevenants emphasised that what may appear as “bad behaviour” during recovery, including aggression, withdrawal, or substance use, is often part of the healing process rather than a sign of misbehaviour.

“Children only come out of dissociation when they feel safe. If the trauma is too deep, they may remain in dissociation and develop a disorder that makes functioning in society difficult. That’s when trained counsellors need to step in,” he said.

Dr Sevenants pointed out that in extreme cases, children may experience derealisation as in the sense of disassociating themselves from reality and feeling disconnected from people and surroundings.

“It’s not because children are bad, it is because they have been through trauma, and these behaviours are part of their journey toward recovery,” he said.

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