The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) acknowledge that marine litter remains a tremendous challenge in the Solomon Islands and the rest of the Pacific, with significant social and economic consequences as well as negative impacts on the country’s marine ecosystem.

SICCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms Atenasi Ata was among participants at a workshop hosted in Honiara from Thursday 31 January to Friday 1 February which focused on supporting the development of national approaches for the management of marine-litter for the Solomon Islands.

The workshop was hosted by the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP), which is funded by the UK Government. CLiP works across the Commonwealth member countries, generating information through research, and convening discussions to share expertise and find solutions to the environmental and socio-economic problems caused by litter in the marine environment.

Ms Ata says this workshop is timely for Solomon Islands amid growing concern worldwide about the threat that widespread plastic waste poses to marine life.

SICCI is of the view that the problem of marine waste must be tackled in a collective approach by all stakeholders including businesses, Government, education institutions, local academics, civil society and others.

“If we are serious about reducing the amount of solid waste particularly plastics being dumped into our ocean, or flowing through waterways into oceans and marine ecosystems, then this needs to be addressed at multiple levels and over a period of time instead of being one-off interventions.”

“By playing our role embracing this national approach, we hope to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people who depend on marine ecosystems for their food and incomes, and so contribute to poverty alleviation,” SICCI CEO, Ms Ata, said.

She said from the Chamber’s perspective this issue of marine litter is about Government at its different levels both central and municipal, having a functioning system in place so that solid waste removal and treatment however basic, takes place regularly.

“Waste management is a behavioral issue. It takes time and every stakeholder whether as a school, or a business, or government department, have a role to play in changing mindset and the culture around plastic use and rubbish disposal,” she said.

Ms Ata calls on all Solomon Islanders to be responsible in the way we manage plastic waste keeping in mind how it can impact our marine environment.

The CLiP workshop provided an opportunity for participants from across the Solomon Islands to discuss opportunities to tackle the issue of marine litter in and around the Islands. Some options canvassed included policy actions, preventative actions like developing social norms through national campaigns, and looking at school curriculum on responsible plastic use and disposal.

The workshop is designed to draw on findings stemming from the Commonwealth Litter Programme research project and ultimately inform future action on marine litter. SICCI is committed in collaborating in actions taken to address marine litter.