Waste Management and Pollution Control
7 July, 2015 - Litter booms were installed in the Matinakau River in Honiara, Solomon Islands last week to help manage marine litter which is a growing problem in the Pacific islands region.
The boom placement was coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM) following a successful trial of the litter booms in Apia, Samoa.
The first litter boom was installed on the Matinakau River under the Matinakau Bridge by SPREP, the MECDM, and the local community from both sides of the river on 24 June 2015, with a second boom to be installed further upstream at a later date.
"The litter booms will help decrease the amount of river litter from entering the sea and also raise awareness of the problems caused by litter originating from sources around the capital city to the environment to improve general waste management practices around the city's river and coastal areas," said Ms Rosemary Apa from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment.
The Solomon Islands are more at risk from the negative impacts of marine litter, compared to other Pacific island countries because of its large population density, economic status and poor existing waste management. Honiara, the capital of the nation is at particularly high risk to increasing quantities of marine litter and its associated impacts due to the cities growing urban population which is expected to double within the next 18 years.
"Initially the Solomon Islands MECDM will be clearing and analysing the litter captured by the boom on a daily basis to gather data on the types of waste that is being mismanaged and dumped in the river" said Mr. Scott Willson, the Marine Pollution Adviser of SPREP.
"The MECDM will also hold community consultations and presentations to educate river communities, schools and businesses about the problems associated with marine litter impacts. They are also working with media agencies to help report on the litter boom project and spread awareness throughout Honiara and the rest of the country."
Marine litter is a major environmental problem that is adversely affecting Pacific island people, economies, wildlife and ecosystems. The impacts of marine litter are especially pronounced and serious in the Pacific, where people, cultures and economies are dependent upon their ocean and coastal ecosystems. The negative impacts from marine litter, particularly plastics and abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear include ingestion by, and entanglement of marine wildlife, damage to fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves, and damage to fishing boats and gear. Adverse aesthetic impacts to tourist beaches and coastal areas is also a major negative impact of marine litter on Pacific communities.
SPREP will continue to support MECDM's Mataniko River Rehabilitation Project through support to improve waste management practices and infrastructure to minimise litter from being discarded into the river by surrounding communities.
The boom placement was coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECDM) following a successful trial of the litter booms in Apia, Samoa.
Litter boom placed on the Matinakau River in Honiara
The first litter boom was installed on the Matinakau River under the Matinakau Bridge by SPREP, the MECDM, and the local community from both sides of the river on 24 June 2015, with a second boom to be installed further upstream at a later date.
"The litter booms will help decrease the amount of river litter from entering the sea and also raise awareness of the problems caused by litter originating from sources around the capital city to the environment to improve general waste management practices around the city's river and coastal areas," said Ms Rosemary Apa from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment.
The Solomon Islands are more at risk from the negative impacts of marine litter, compared to other Pacific island countries because of its large population density, economic status and poor existing waste management. Honiara, the capital of the nation is at particularly high risk to increasing quantities of marine litter and its associated impacts due to the cities growing urban population which is expected to double within the next 18 years.
"Initially the Solomon Islands MECDM will be clearing and analysing the litter captured by the boom on a daily basis to gather data on the types of waste that is being mismanaged and dumped in the river" said Mr. Scott Willson, the Marine Pollution Adviser of SPREP.
"The MECDM will also hold community consultations and presentations to educate river communities, schools and businesses about the problems associated with marine litter impacts. They are also working with media agencies to help report on the litter boom project and spread awareness throughout Honiara and the rest of the country."
Marine litter is a major environmental problem that is adversely affecting Pacific island people, economies, wildlife and ecosystems. The impacts of marine litter are especially pronounced and serious in the Pacific, where people, cultures and economies are dependent upon their ocean and coastal ecosystems. The negative impacts from marine litter, particularly plastics and abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear include ingestion by, and entanglement of marine wildlife, damage to fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves, and damage to fishing boats and gear. Adverse aesthetic impacts to tourist beaches and coastal areas is also a major negative impact of marine litter on Pacific communities.
SPREP will continue to support MECDM's Mataniko River Rehabilitation Project through support to improve waste management practices and infrastructure to minimise litter from being discarded into the river by surrounding communities.