BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Solomon Islands is not alone when it comes to oil spill crises and response.
Paul Irving, Marine Pollution Officer for the PACPLAN Resilience Project under the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), spoke to Island Sun yesterday during the Ocean Country Partnership Programme Solomon Islands Oil Response Training Workshop at the Heritage Park Hotel.
“The important thing for the Solomon Islands to know is that they’re not alone. If a small spill occurs in the port or at the terminal, South Pacific Oil or SIMA can handle it,” said Irving.
“If it gets a bit bigger, then it might involve Team Solomon—the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) and other organizations such as the National Disaster Management Office, Fisheries, Health, and others stepping in to assist,” he added.
“If it escalates further, like the Solomon Trader oil spill at Rennell Island in 2019, international assistance is available. Australia is the primary responder, but SPREP, through its PACPLAN framework, also plays a key role,” he said.
Irving explained that the PACPLAN framework outlines how countries collaborate on regional and international responses to marine pollution incidents.
“So, the Solomon Islands is not left to handle these incidents alone. There is a structured system in place—from managing small spills locally to receiving substantial assistance for major disasters,” he emphasized.
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