To date the program has trained 28 women across 18 communities and two countries.
All women are certified to at least Open-Water Diver standard, and the group now contains two Dive Instructors and two Dive Masters.
Community-led marine reserve creation projects instigated and supported by women from the Sea Women of Melanesia program have resulted in 20 new proposals for Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea and enhanced site management capability at 6 existing marine reserve sites in the Western Province of Solomon Islands.
Digital reef monitoring kits and survey equipment have been deployed with Sea Women trainees at multiple locations across the eastern Coral Triangle, and humanitarian aid (water &medical) has been distributed to over 15 communities as part of the program’s delivery mission.
“The €20,000 prize-money from the Ocean Tribute Award could not have come at a more opportune time, as we have just launched our PNG Marine Conservation Initiative 2020 and are looking to deliver an ambitious program of 5 expeditions across the eastern Coral Triangle during the course of the year,” continued Dr Lewis.
“Our Sea Women of Melanesia Director and PNG’s first female Dive Instructor, Naomi Longa, will be onboard and we are looking forward to extending the Sea Women training program and our marine conservation assistance to many new communities across this critically important marine biodiversity area.”
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