BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Western Province Network for Sustainable Environment carried out a massive cleanup campaign along the coast of Gizo yesterday, collecting large volumes of rubbish from the shoreline and seabed.
In an interview with the media, Dive Instructor of Dive Gizo, Raul Fernandes said his team uncovered and collected an enormous amount of rubbish, particularly tins, directly in front of the Gizo Market.
He said cans made up the majority of the trash, followed by plastic bottles and biscuit packets.
“Sad thing is that the marine life is still very active, some of which see the trash as their safe haven.
“It is important for people to understand that when they throw rubbish into the sea, it will not simply disappear. It will sink to the bottom of the sea where it will contaminate the surrounding marine life.
“Remember Solomon Islanders are connected to the sea and it is important to keep the sea clean,” Fernandes said.
He said his team has conducted three cleanup operations so far, but their efforts continue to fall short as people persist in throwing rubbish into the sea.
Programme Manager of Positive Change for Marine Life Gizo, Heyer Vavoso said the objective of the campaign is to collect tins and plastics along the shoreline and dispose of the rubbish at a proper dumping site.
He said divers removed tins and plastics from the Gizo Market area to the western end of Gizo town.
Vavoso said WPNSE has been trying its best to keep the Gizo shoreline clean, but tins continue to wash back onto the shore daily.
“Our challenge is people who come from the islands. We have come to realise that people from nearby islands are the ones throwing rubbish into the sea.
“Our sea is our important resource and we must protect what lives below the water,” he said.
Vavoso is calling on community leaders to advise people not to throw rubbish into the sea when visiting Gizo.
Chairlady of WPNSE, Mrs. Renee Regha Rario said the cleanup is part of the network’s ongoing plan to safeguard marine environments.
She said similar cleanups have been conducted previously to ensure marine life along the Gizo shoreline remain healthy.
Rario said marine resources are the lifeline for most Gizo residents and keeping the sea clean is vital.
“Fishermen catch fish within Gizo harbour; we also see seaweed sold at the market. These are important resources and our vision is to ensure Gizo harbour is clean and healthy,” she said.
The Western Province Network for Sustainable Environment includes Positive Change for Marine Life, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Ecological Solutions Solomon Islands, Plasticwise Gizo and the Western Provincial Government.
Photos: Raul Fernandes
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
