Government through the ministry of environment, climate change, disaster management and meteorology has thanked Waitt Institute from the United States (US) for freely offering their facilities and boat to conduct a two week of marine research in the Western province.
The institute works with committed local governments and the scientific community to develop comprehensive, practical and sustainable strategies for ocean zoning and fisheries management.
It provides technical expertise in marine ecology, mapping, socioeconomics and communications, and works with local organizations to build their capacity for effective implementation and long term success.
Solomon Island Community Conservation Partnership (SICCP) a local non-government organization in the country made a deal with Waitt Institute by using their research boat to conduct the marine research in Western province.
The ministry’s permanent secretary (PS) Dr Melchoir Mataki when addressing the officials on board the ship last Thursday thanked the management of the ship especially Waitt Institute for providing the boat freely.
“On behalf of the SIG, I thanked Waitt Institute and SICCP for an agreement to make this research possible in the country.
“Solomon Island geographical setting is a challenge to do marine research and costly since our marines area are distance and need proper facility to do research.
“Therefore since you have offered your vessel and facilities to conduct this research, I thanked Waitt Institute and SCCP made this research possible that enable us to discover some new species in our country,” he said.
Meanwhile Mr Mataki told SICCP and Waitt Institute that whatever plans and support SICCP and Waitt Institute aims to do in the country the ministry will support them.
By DENVER NEWTER
