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Tuna needs to be sustainably managed due to high demand

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Soltuna cannery at Noro in Western province. Photo courtesy: Tri Marine

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WITH the high demand for tuna globally, the resource need sto be sustainably managed, says Supervising Minister to Fisheries and Marine Resources, Frederick Kologeto.

“Today, with the high demand for tuna globally, the resources need to be sustainably managed. This is important as our country makes a lot of revenue front his resources and because of this resource, many of our people can be employed and this is evident to the fishing and processing sector.

“Many of our people can be fed and many of our people can earn a living. Tuna indeed is a source of food and livelihood to our many coastal communities,” Kologeto said.

He said the responsibility to manage this resource in a sustainable manner is entirely on everybody.

“We are all in this together. As stakeholders to this important resource, let us align our commitments towards ensuring sustainability of our tuna stocks. Let us all work together to achieve this.

“As the Minister responsible for fisheries, I am delighted to see the current development and sustainability management of our tuna resources. My ministry is always working in collaboration with our other stakeholders to ensure all Solomon Islanders receives maximum economic and social benefits from our tuna resources. This is through a cordial partnership with Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries.”

The above statement was echoed yesterday at the World Tuna Day celebration in Honiara.

MFMR ensures SI benefits from tuna

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Fisheries and Marine Resources is working closely with its stakeholders to ensure all Solomon Islanders receives economic and social benefits from tuna resources.

According to Minister for responsible for MFMR Frederick Kologeto said this will work out through a cordial partnership with Forum Fisheries Agency and Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries to enable the county to achieve the following.

“Creation of job opportunities for our people. In this regard, we will continue to progress the development of Bina Harbour Onshore Processing project, support infrastructure developments-through new investments for onshore facilities. Again, Bina project is the one we are pursuing,” Kologeto said.

He said also to support the PNA Vessel Day scheme for both Purse seine and longline fisheries.

“To review of our legislations and legal framework to accommodate the recent changes within the tuna fisheries are promoted towards Sustainable Tuna Fisheries and promote Tuna as our proceed national Asset and this is where we want to drive our Tuna in the future.”

Isabel benefits from Gender Responsive Peacebuilding in Extractive Industries programme

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

WITH the launching of the Gender Responsive Peacebuilding in Extractive Industries programme on Wednesday, Isabel province will be directly benefiting.

International Organization Migration IOM Chief of Mission Australia, New Zealand and Coordinator for Pacific Islands Countries Par Liljert, speaking via zoom during the launch, said the programme has been conceptualised and developed utilising the results and lessons learned from previous UN programming in the Solomon Islands and across the Pacific region.

This is regarding the Solomon Islands Community Health and Mobility in the Pacific Report (or CHAMP Report) has provided extensive analysis on these particular dynamics, providing data and evidence on the issue. The report included key recommendations for communities, service provision, government bodies and protective services. Specifically, this programme will work at addressing recommendations on community mobilisation and service provision.

He said currently, in the Isabel province, only one civil society organisation is able to provide gender-based violence and justice support and with the launching of the programme will directly increase the availability of these services.

IOM Chief of Mission explained that the community mobilisation programme will work directly with local communities to identify leaders in each community, in particular women who will be upskilled to contribute to responding to increased rates of gender-based violence. Similarly, the programme will address the CHAMP recommendation to create channels for community-based reporting to formal justice representatives.

Liljert also said that Service provision, the programme will address needs to increase services that are provided on issues of gender-based violence (GBV), Sexual and Reproductive Health (SHR), safety, PSS and Justice Services to remote and isolated areas.

“We are proud to respond to the Solomon Islands Government’s request for help in implementing these key recommendations. Recognising the importance and value of this programme IOM has mobilised its own additional resourcing through the IOM Development Fund to make this programme a reality”, Mr Liljert said.

The programme will operate under three broad outcome areas. One: It will strive to create an enabling environment to support women’s human rights and participation of women in community-based peacebuilding processes. This will include both women and young women. Such activities will include building capacity of organisations and community leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue with women, and also boosting women’s awareness of their rights in peacebuilding and leadership skills. This action is important due to the prevalence of current social and gender norms throughout the Solomon Islands and institutionalized values which generally disempower women and girls.  

 Secondly, the programme will focus on ensuring women and young women are able to drive change within their communities through peacebuilding dialogues. For example, eco-peacebuilding groups will be formed in targeted communities and led by women alongside young women to represent women’s rights in dialogues with the private sector and government officials. Environmental peacebuilding is based on the principle that our common dependency on natural resources and a healthy environment facilitates cooperation between societies and can therefore foster the process of peacebuilding in conflict regions. Furthermore, formal and informal dispute resolution mechanisms will be readily accessible to women and young women. Women are currently often excluded from peacebuilding activities so this action will directly address this.  

The third part of the programming will focus on coordinating between civil society organisations and governments to improve the quality-of-service provision to women who face violates due to conflict dynamics between community and extractive industries and workers.  

Meanwhile, Dr Jennifer Butler Director for UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office also highlighted that the programme will contribute to gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment in a number of fundamental ways.

She said it will increase women’s participation in peacebuilding processes which will serve to mitigate the impact of extractive industries on women and young women through representation and resolution of key issues, including sexual exploitation. It will also challenge the gendered norms which discriminate and to date, have prevented women’s participation. Mobilisation of the community around shifting attitudes, practices and beliefs around gendered norms will transform the space provided to women which will serve to support a shift in gender equality and women’s empowerment more broadly.

The launching was done yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.

Aust delivers additional $37M COVID-19 support

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Press Release
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Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan, and the Minister for Finance, Harry Kuma, signing a funding agreement

Australia has provided an additional AUD6 million (SBD$37 Million) to keep Solomon Airlines in the air and to help Solomon Water deliver water to vulnerable communities.

Australian High Commissioner, Dr Lachlan Strahan, and the Minister for Finance, Harry Kuma, signed a funding agreement on Tuesday 4 May to assist these two enterprises to continue vital operations and stimulate economic activity.

Dr Strahan said that Australia was working in line with the Solomon Islands Government’s priorities.

“Australia and Solomon Islands are strong security, development and economic partners,” Strahan said.

“We share similar COVID-19 response goals – to save lives and livelihoods and emerge stronger post-pandemic,” he added.

“Solomon Airlines provides the country’s all important domestic network and its international air bridge.”

Finance minister Kuma said:

“This is timely support that will boost the two state-owned enterprises’ efforts to deliver and maintain efficient services to the people of this country.

“Australia is such a true and loyal friend through thick and thin times, even though you are also affected by the global pandemic.”


Solomon Water will receive AUD5 million (SBD 31 million) to improve water supply, water quality, and to provide basic facilities for vulnerable communities in Honiara and some provincial towns.

Approximately 28,000 people are expected to benefit from improved water supply and sanitation facilities in Honiara, Auki, Tulagi, Noro, and Gizo.

Clean and safe water is vital to meeting the basic daily needs of the population.


Last Friday (30 April), Strahan and the CEO of Solomon Water, Ian Gooden, visited some of the communities around Honiara where Australia’s funding will improve water supply.

This included a community where new pipes will deliver fresh water directly to households, and a dam that will be rehabilitated to improve water quality and a fence erected to protect the water source.


AUD$1 million (SBD$6 million) will be delivered to Solomon Airlines to enable the airline to meet essential training requirements for engineers and crew, purchase aircraft maintenance equipment, and undergo a remote International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit.

Solo on top 3 in Australia

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Press Release
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Seasonal workers in Australia

SOLOMON Islands is now one of the top 3 countries, after Vanuatu and Tonga, on the number of workers arriving in Australia since the restart of the Seasonal Workers Programme (SWP) and the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) late last year.

Four Solomon Airline chartered flights, carrying 500 workers, have landed in Australia since November 2020.   

The last two flights landed in Sydney early April and 184 workers disembarked and were quarantined for 14 days and then deployed to farms, packaging houses and meat-work places in New South Wales.

220 more are expected later this month.

“At the rate we are going we should hit 2000 before the end of the year.  That would exceed our numbers in New Zealand, if that has not yet been the case.  I look forward to meeting them after they have settled down in their places of work,” an excited and happy Robert Sisilo, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, said.

Since he was posted to Canberra in January 2020, Mr Sisilo has put labour mobility and trade with Australia as his number one priority. 

With the COVID-19 restrictions on movement across states now easing, Mr Sisilo is on the road driving thousands of kilometres to Sydney and Brisbane and the vast countryside of New South Wales and Queensland meeting our workers and their employers.

Recently Mr Sisilo was in Victoria and met workers and their employers in Mildura, Robinvale, Red Cliffs, Ararat, Warragul and Moe. 

He also met the SI community (diaspora) in Mildura and Melbourne.

Together with the officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment in Canberra, they will visit SI workers and their employers in Tasmania this month.

This Australian Labour Mobility program remains one of the great initiatives that provides employment to Solomon Island workers, generate income and empowers them to participate meaningfully in both economic and development activities.    

“It’s a clear demonstration of how strong our relations with Australia have become, either because of COVID-19 or it’s just the way it should be as very close neighbours.  Or both.  It creates a 4-win situation – you the worker, the farmer, Solomon Islands and Australia. 

“So let’s just get on with the work and all the best in your new homes away from homes,” Mr Sisilo told a group of workers he met in Mildura, Victoria recently.

Women learn backyard gardening skills

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Press Release
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A facilitator from Kastom Gaden Association, right, explains to the women participants the different kinds of plants that can be used to drive pests away from their vegetable gardens.

UP to 50 women and girls took part in a three-day “Backyard Gardening” training delivered by Kastom Gaden Association (KGA) at their Burns Creek base last week.

Participants were mentors and members of the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) Solomon Islands’ Girls Rise Up! Project around Honiara.

“The training was aimed at giving these women and girls basic knowledge and skills in backyard gardening,” Maria Afu, Gender Officer for Live & Learn, who organised the training, told the Island Sun.

“At this time of the covid-19 pandemic, it’s important that families have food available around their houses,” Afu added.

“So this is a kind of food security and livelihood training.

“Participants are expected to return to their communities and share the skills and knowledge gained.”

The Australian Government, through Live & Learn, funded the training.

A male facilitator demonstrates how to prepare what is called Plant Derived Pesticide (PDP) to the participants.

During the sessions, participants learned how to set up a nursery, mix soil for nursery, soil sterilization, seed sowing, pricking, transplanting, compost making and others.

For most of the participants, it was their first time to attend such training.

Afu said the training should help the participants grown their own vegetables at their backyards, as well as earn money from any extras.

Georgina Ariki was not only a participant, but also president of YWCA Solomon Islands.

She told the Island Sun the training was an eye-opener for most of the participants.

“Most of the participants never been through such training before,” Ariki said.

“So as president of YWCA, I am happy to see them participate in this training, which I believe will help them to see the importance of backyard gardening,” she added.

Ariki said the participants represented various communities around Honiara, and was hoping they will return and share their news skills and knowledge with their members.

She thanked AusAid for funding the training and Live & Learn for organizing it.

SOLOMONS-CHINA RELATIONS GROWS STRONGER

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Press Release
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PM Sogavare and Ambassador Li Ming with Cabinet Ministers at the ground breaking ceremony

The historic groundbreaking ceremony to officially begin construction of major sporting infrastructures in Honiara on May 5 has demonstrated the growth of the Solomon Islands-China relations in a short span of time.

The state of the art stadium project is one of the important outcomes of the consensus reached by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese President, Xi Jinping in 2019 when the two leaders formalized diplomatic relations in Beijing.

Chinese Ambassador to Solomon Islands Li Ming conveyed his special appreciation to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and all cabinet ministers for their strategic and untiring efforts to ensure Solomon Islands maximize the benefits from this new and young relationship.

In October 2019, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare paid a historic visit to China and held a successful meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both leaders reached important consensus on the blueprint for bilateral relations.

“Based on equality, respect and mutual benefit, the relationship has grown from strength to strength with tangible outcomes. The Stadium Project is one of the important outcomes,” Ambassador Li Ming said.

Ambassador Li Ming said Prime Minister Sogavare’s strategic vision, strong leadership and firm support of China-Solomon Islands relationship enables the Stadium Project to grow from a concept into reality.

The 2023 Pacific Games Stadium Project is the first major infrastructure project in Solomon Islands supported by the Chinese Government. It is also the largest state-of-art multi-purpose sports facility in the pacific islands region.

Once completed, the project will become the sports city of Solomon Islands. It will not only contribute to the success of the Pacific Games in 2023, but also help drive the economic engine of Solomon Islands, bring about new jobs and new business opportunities in areas such as infrastructure, tourism, technology transfer, labor training and many more.

As a genuine development partner and responsible country, China’s assistance to Solomon Islands is under the framework of South-to-South cooperation.

China always honors its commitment and never attaches political conditions to its foreign aid. China has provided large amount of medical supplies to Solomon Islands, including vaccines, which is the most powerful weapon to contain COVID-19.

China remains the largest trading partner of Solomon Islands and has granted duty-free treatment to 97% of Solomon exports, paving the way for further increasing export to China market.

The sub-national cooperation between China’s Guangdong Province and Guadalcanal Province, Fujian Province and Western Province, Jiangmen City and Honiara City have all made positive progress.

The Governments of Solomon Islands and China are also working closely together in areas such as agriculture, education and climate change. These are areas with big potentials and in the best interests of peoples of the two countries.

The China-Solomon Islands relationship has brought real benefits. The achievements made so far are based on One-China principle.

“I highly appreciate the rock solid commitment of the government of Solomon Islands and strong support of SI people on One-China principle. We are both developing countries. We share a lot of common interests and common language,” Ambassador Li Ming said.

He added that Chinese people are embarking on a new journey to build a modern socialist country with new vision, new development pattern and high quality and China will always be there on the path of development of Solomon Islands.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Solomon Islands celebrates World Tuna Day

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Minister Kologeto and guests ready to taste a prepared sashimi

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands and relevant stakeholders in the Tuna industry have gathered to mark the celebration of World Tuna Day aimed at reflecting on the importance of Tuna to all individuals.

The World Tuna Day falls on May 2 every year after the United Nations passed a resolution to recognise and celebrate this important Oceania resource “Tuna’ in their General Assembly Meeting in 2016.”

Minister supervising for the Ministry of Fisheries Marine Resources Frederick Kologeto when delivering the key note address said yesterday marks the 6th World Tuna Day since the declaration of this important day.

Team SolTuna preparing taiyo labels for draw. Photos BY MAVIS PODOKOLO

“World Tuna day is a day we stop and reflect on the importance of Tuna to all of us. Accordingly, my ministry with all stakeholders celebrates this year’s World Tuna day with the Tuna our priced national asset.

Student visiting MFMR stall

Today (yesterday) as we reflect and commemorate this day, let me reassure our good people of Solomon Islands that as a ministry, our commitments to the development of tuna fisheries as well as our commitments towards the sustainable management of our tuna resources remain our highest priority.

Staffs from Ministry of Fisheries taking part on the parade

“This because, it is my ministry’s belief that with a sustainable resource, we will continue to benefit from the use of this resources as food on our table, as cash crop to meet our family socioeconomic needs and as export commodity to support the needs of our country,” Kologeto said.

He said collectively it remains everybody’s duty to ensure that people receive maximum economic and social benefits from the country’s tuna resources.

FFA staffs taking part on SolTuna’s draw

Kologeto further stressed by acknowledging the work of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and Forum Fisheries Agencies (FFA) in making sure the tuna of our region is well managed, achieving a sustainable standard no other region of the world has achieved.

Minister supervising for Ministry of Fisheries Marine Resources Development Frederick Kologeto

“Your presence today (yesterday) reflects your commitment to our call to put this day aside to reflect on this God given resources, our priced asset, that when we pursue its sustainably, it will continue to provide for us into the future. Thank you again for coming, despite the challenges faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I wish you all the best for 2021 World Tuna Day celebrations and remember Tuna is our priced national asset, tuna our livelihood, tuna for a healthy nation and healthy Solomon Islands, our better choice,” he said.

Judah Suimae and few of the many males taking part on the promoting tuna as the country’s national asset

Allan Rahari Director Fisheries Operations, Forum Fisheries Agency says World Tuna Day is an opportunity to acknowledge and mark the importance of Tuna to the People.

Raharii said having people come in numbers to celebrate shows the commitment towards this species.

“We are reminded that the importance of protecting these resources, Tuna supports regional food security, employment and economic development and promoted national GDP indeed economic resilience the Pacific Tuna fisheries in particular is important during the challenges in unprecedent times,” he said.

Allan Rahari Director Fisheries Operations, Forum Fisheries Agency

  The event begun with a float parade from Honiara City Council to National Auditorium with parade partakers shouting about the importance of Tuna in the country.

Auki celebrate International girls in ICT day 2021

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Students participate in hand-on robots activity during the event.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Female students from schools in Auki marked the annual International Girls in ICT Day in Auki yesterday.

The one-day programme was facilitated by Women in IT Solomon Islands (WITSI) under Solomon Islands IT Society and funded by Australian Aid, Pacific Islands Chapter Internet Society, POB, UNESCO, Bemobile and Solomon Islands government.

In an interview with Ms Julia Anisi who represents WITSI for the programme in Auki, she said Girls in ICT Day is an annual event celebrated by girls throughout the world.

She said the international day falls on April 22 every year, but due to delay of kits from Australia to use during the celebration; date for the celebration was rescheduled to May 6 especially for the country.

Anisi said the idea behind the celebration is to encourage girls to take up computing, because it’s common in the country that only boys dominate the field of computing.

She added that the day was used to raise awareness to girls that computing is a field girls can also pursue as their career.

Anisi said the one day session was a visual event where schools participated in the event connected through zooms and shared ideas on what they think on computing.

She said the international day was celebrated with number of schools in Honiara and Gizo and Goldie PSS in the Western and Choiseul provinces, Waimapuru NSS in Makira Ulawa province and Auki High School, Aligegeo PSS and Kilusakwalo CHS in Malaita province.

Anisi said this is the first time to extend the celebration to provinces and WITSI was happy for girls in the provinces to feel part of the international ICT day.

She said WITSI would like to acknowledged school managements and contributing partners for supports towards the successful hosting of the international girls ICT day in the country. 

CAUSE Project making impact in Western urban centres

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Noro Market Jetty in progress. Photo supplied by CAUSE Project

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement (CAUSE) project continues to deliver much needed development not only Gizo but also other urban centres in Western Province.

There are a number of projects in Munda, Noro and Gizo that were completed while some projects are still ongoing.

The latest project currently underway in Gizo is the construction of a 202 meters foot path at the lower district of the capital to Jah Mountain.

Speaking to SunGizo office, CAUSE Project Community Liaison Officer (CLO), Gizo Project Implementation Unit, Penny Siliako said a total of 20 CAUSE-graduated Trainees which includes men and women are busy constructing the footpath at the moment.

Women taking the lead in constructing the foot path.

He said the newly built Jacobs Ladder will run for 202 meters from the main road in the Lower District area next to the Seventh Day Church all the way up to Jah Mountain.

“Actually, the Jacobs ladder will only be 87 meters long (located only on the hill leading up to Jah, with the rest being a footpath due to the flat terrain).

Third market stall in Munda progressing well. Photo supplied by CAUSE Project

“This project has a total duration of 75 days, taking into account weather and material availability,” Siliako said.

He said the workers are currently clearing shrubs, establishing a profile, excavating footings and drainage, fabricating formwork, installing and preparing surfaces.

Siliako said the construction will begin at Jah Mountain and progress downward.

“So the work plan is to finish Jacob’s Ladder first, followed by the Footpath,” he said.

Siliako hopes the footpath will benefit everyone who lives along the ridges as well as those at Jah Mountain.

The frame of the 200 meters long foot path.

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