Press Release: Marine conservation advocates from CT6 countries join #plasticresistance movement to celebrate Coral Triangle Day

# Based on a 2014 report, scientists from the US, France, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand calculated that more than 5 trillion plastic pieces, weighing over 250,000 tons, are floating in our oceans.
# Aware of the grave impact of plastic on marine life and human health, marine conservation groups from Coral Triangle member countries support the #plasticresistance movement to celebrate Coral Triangle Day.
# To learn how you can join the #plasticresistance movement and protect the Coral Triangle region from plastic pollution, visit www.coraltriangleday.org.

Manado, Indonesia – 7 June 2018 – Plastic pollution has worsened over the years. Marine animals living in and around the water can ingest microplastics, and chemicals released by these plastics can harm both fish and humans who consume them.

Marine conservation groups from Coral Triangle member countries have shown support for the #plasticresistance movement to help celebrate Coral Triangle Day.

In Indonesia, the No Trash Triangle Initiative, an NGO advocating ocean protection from plastic pollution, conducted educational and cleanup activities among school children and the community in Lihunu, Bangka Island. The children were taught about the impact of plastic pollution and ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics. The initiative also plans cleanup activities in Malalayang, South Manado on June 9.

The Sustainable Ecosystems Advanced Project will host an “Ocean Story” Photo Contest inviting marine and photography enthusiasts to submit their best ocean and coastal images with a short story (80–150 words), celebrating the ocean’s beauty and importance.

WWF, in partnership with the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, continues to run the #plasticresistance Instagram Contest encouraging users to share how they reduce single-use plastics by tagging photos or videos with #plasticresistance and #coraltriangle.

In Papua New Guinea, JICA, the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, and the National Capital District Commission organized a beach cleanup in Elevala Village. The National CTI-CFF Coordinating Committee will conduct beach cleanups, turtle tagging and release, and awareness campaigns in a coastal village on 21–22 June, including school programs running until November 2018. The Ministry of Environment and Conservation and Climate Change has also banned import, manufacture, and use of shopping bags under the Environment Act 2000.

In the Philippines, the National CTI-CFF Coordinating Committee has planned beach cleanups and a film showing of “A Plastic Ocean,” inviting student leaders from universities in Metro Manila to learn about the impact of plastic pollution.

In Solomon Islands, the Ministries of Fisheries and Marine Resources and Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology lead celebrations with cleanup activities, cultural performances, tree planting, school awareness programs, and waste compost demonstrations along Botanical Garden Stream and Rove Seafront in West Honiara.

To learn how you can join the #plasticresistance movement and protect the Coral Triangle region from plastic pollution, visit www.coraltriangleday.org.

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About CTI-CFF

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership of six countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste (CT6). The CT6 countries work together to preserve marine and coastal resources and focus on key issues such as food security, climate change, and marine biodiversity. Established formally during the Leaders’ Summit in 2009, the CTI-CFF adopted the CTI Regional Plan of Action (CTI RPOA), a strategic plan with five goals: (1) designation of effectively managed seascapes; (2) application of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management; (3) establishment of a fully functional marine protected area system; (4) strengthening climate change adaptation and resilience; and (5) improving the status of threatened marine species.

About Regional Secretariat

The CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat (RS) promotes regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and learning within the six member countries of the Coral Triangle. The RS coordinates and monitors implementation of the RPOA goals, supports official meetings and events, and provides cross-cutting services in monitoring and evaluation, financial coordination, information management, and outreach. It advises National Coordinating Committees (NCCs) on emerging opportunities and priorities, fosters networking among CTI Partners and donors, and serves as the communication hub for CTI-CFF objectives. The Regional Secretariat is based in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

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Media Contact:

• Janet Rosalie Anne H. Polita
• Communication & Information Manager, CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat
• www.coraltriangleinitiative.org
• jpolita@cticff.org