Kavieng Schools in Papua New Guinea join in an Arts and Essay Completion for ‘lukaitim olgeta dugong long hia’
The Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) is leading the coordination of other primary and secondary schools in the Kavieng District in running a Dugong Arts and Essay Competition as part of the Pacific Year of the Dugong (PYoD).
The PYoD is promoted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) and the Abu Dhabu office for the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
Students wishing to participate in the Dugong Arts and Essay Competition have to register witrh OLSH, with Grades 3-5 needing to complete a poster, whilst Grade 6-8 may do a general art activity; with Grades 9-13 having a writing activity.
The Dugong Arts and Essay Competition coordinated by OLSH is to provide a fun educational learning opportunity whilst promoting the need to protect dugings in the local marine environment in the Kavieng District.
The Kavieng District is home to vast sea grass beds, and subsequently dugongs are regular visitors to the Kavieng Harbour, and neighbouring coastal and island villages.
Judging of entries will be done on the 3rd of June to coincide with the World Environment Day, which is on the 5th June.
Solomon Islands’ National Launch of the Pacific Year of the Dugong
Honiara, 10 May 2011 – Solomon Islands Government through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology organized the Solomon Islands National Launch of the Pacific Year of the Dugong 2011. The National Launch was formally opened on behalf of Minister Mr. John Moffat Fugui by the Permanent Secretary Mr. Rence Sore. In the audience were also partners, government staff, conservation NGOs, school teachers, students and public. The event programme included quizzes and awareness talk from Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) officers, which drew a lot of interest from the schools and invited participants.
The campaign is expected to continue in the future with many more awareness programs and activities including conducting surveys, population development planning and having national priorities that may be reflected in relevant legislations. The program has seen the success through the cooperation and support Ministries, NGOs, schools, media and interested individuals.
The campaign affirms the Ministry’s programs in protecting and conserving marine mammals, especially dugong. It also calls for leading organizations to provide more support to do ground work with the rural communities. It is anticipated that any further activities of the campaign should reach the communities in order to achieve best outcomes with regards to dugong conservation and management.
Pacific Year of the Dugong Launch Report
Regional Pacific Year of the Dugong Campaign launched in Palau
The regional PYoD campaign was launched in Korror, Palau on 14 March 2011 by the President of Palau, His Excellency Johnson Toribiong and Minister of Natural Resources, Environment & Tourism, Honourable Harry Fritz. Closing remarks were given by Minister of State, Honourable Victor Yano.
In launching the regional campaign, Palau also commenced their national campaign with the reminder by President Toribiong that we are stewards of the environment and have a moral obligation to protect dugongs in the spirit of “I’ll save you so some day you’ll save me”.
The ceremony, held at the Koror State Capitol building, was attended by representatives from the local Government, NGOs, private sector, traditional leaders and students. A representative each from SPREP and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) were also present. Part of the ceremony included presentations by the Koror State Rangers, Fish and Wildlife and the Bureau of Marine Resources and the Palau dugong song by the local artist, Edward Anastacio. At the closing of the launch ceremony, the Palau President presented a dugong carving (mother/calf with story board) to SPREP. A similar carving was also presented for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
One of the factors that determined having the regional campaign launch in Palau is that the dugong population in Palau is considered to be the most isolated in the world and in addition to threats facing this particular population, it can be classified as "critically endangered".
Doutekangel Losobe by Edward AnastacioPhotos from launch by Mandy T. Etpison and SPREP
Dugong highlighted at the Palau Annual Career Technical Education Awareness
The Palau Annual Career Technical Education Awareness Week was held this year over a two-day period, 16-17 March 2011, at the Palau Community College (PCC). During this event, the Palau Community College (PCC) showcases career and technical educational programmes as well as projects students learn in the classrooms. The College students demonstrate to high school and elementary students and the public what they have learnt and projects they have completed.
This year, the Palau Dugong Campaign Organizing Committee arranged a booth in one of the PCC Science Labs to showcase dugong during the Awareness week. The marine science students showcased to visiting students and the public dugong displays and presentations on various aspects concerning dugongs. In addition, on-the-spot quizzes were conducted with prizes of dugong t-shirts and posters provided. Dugong posters as well fact sheets on dugong, sea grasses and the regional dugong campaign were also available for free. Copies of the 45-page publication on Palau dugong, produced by NECO Marine, were also available free.
Hundreds of school students, both from high school and elementary level, visited each day of the event.