The South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P.) has stepped in to support an international outrigger championship hosted by Samoa this month to reduce the volume of single-use plastics. 

The partnership through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project provides sponsorship of AUD$37,000 in greening the 2023 International Va’a Federation (I.V.F.) World Distance Championships which begin next week. 

The Government is co-financing a lot of assistance for the international outrigger event by purchasing 20 fibre glass canoes from Tahiti for the games and other assistance.   

Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, the S.P.R.E.P. Director General, Sefanaia Nawadra and Event Director, Ulugia Jay Ah Fook launched the partnership at Friendship Park on Tuesday. 

It is anticipated more than 2,000 participants from 28 different countries will attend with the local tourism industry from hotels to stores, and tourist attractions amongst other small businesses expected to benefit.      

Mr. Nawadra said the effort builds on the 2019 Pacific Games initiative of greening the competition. 

The Pacific Ocean Litter Project provides aluminium bottles for participants and has water coolers around the venue to reduce the volume of single-use plastics ending up as marine litter. 

The Director General said the games are not only a partnership between the agencies and organisations but he also has a personal connection with his sister-in-law part of Team Fiji.

Toeolesulusulu extended his appreciation to Outrigger Association and S.P.R.E.P. for the incentive that will ensure that marine life is protected. 

He pointed out the sea is the biggest dumping ground of plastics and noted the platform enables people to know there is support to eliminate the use of single-use plastics. 

Toeolesulusulu – who is also the responsible Minister for the Samoa Tourism Authority – said he hopes to promote sustainable tourism in the course of the event. 

The Event Director reciprocated by thanking the S.P.R.E.P. and the Government for answering their call for support. He estimated the event budget to be around $2 million and is optimistic about the turnout of the participants.