Premier Asilaua Supports Coral Reef Rescue Initiative

The Premier of Malaita Province, Honorable Elijah Asilau MPA, has welcomed the proactive steps taken by the government, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and stakeholders to conduct studies on coral and marine ecosystems and implement the coral reef rescue project within the province.

This initiative is part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project, “Coral Reef Rescue (CRR): Resilient Coral Reefs, Resilient Communities Project.”

At a brief meeting to introduce the project to the Province, Premier Asilau expressed the Malaita provincial government’s appreciation with the collaborative efforts of the government, WCS and stakeholders to safeguard the country’s marine ecosystems.

“This is a small but very important step you are taking to help restore our marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs, that will in return improve the livelihood of our people,”

The Premier emphasized the need for a sustainable framework that ensures continuous efforts in coral protection, rather than reactive measures. He highlighted the severe impacts of climate change on coral reefs, noting the urgency to mitigate these effects.

“Climate change is impacting and damaging our corals in an unprecedented way and we must act to stop or minimize the impacts,” he added.

In addition to climate change, the Premier acknowledged the human-induced threats to coral reefs, which are exacerbated by population growth and increased human activity. He called for greater awareness from responsible authorities to educate communities about the importance of preserving corals and marine ecosystems.

This collaborative project underscores the importance of integrating traditional knowledge and community visions, promoting gender equality, and empowering local communities through participatory visioning exercises.

By involving women, men, and youth, the initiative aims to foster a united effort in conserving the invaluable coral reefs of the Solomon Islands.

The Project is a government initiative through the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Implementing partners include the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF-US),  with the University of Queensland (UQ) as the Lead Executing Agency and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) as the National Technical Facilitator in Solomon Islands (in-country lead).

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