“Fish farming was a bit slow when it was first introduced by the National Fisheries Authority back in early 2000.” This is from Mr Jacob Towa, owner of Towa Fish Breeding and Hatchery Farm in the Western Highlands Province. Mr Towa said this was mainly because fishponds have male and female fish together where they keep on producing more and tend to grow slow and small, thus making farmers lose interest in fish farming. “However, with the introduction of the sex reversal feed this has greatly improved fish farming in the Highlands.” “Breeding process of hatchling to fingerlings this has greatly improved fish farming, where breeding is done in breeding farms where only male fingerlings are sold to fish farmers.” He added that the breeding process is a delicate job where he has to feed and look after the hatchlings for up to 21 days and when they become fingerlings, that is when he sells them off to fish farmers. “It’s quit a skilful and delicate job where these hatchlings have to be fed 5 meals a day, and I feed them with Sex Reversal Tilapia Feeds (SRT) so the hatchlings can develop into male tilapia fish only.” “The Sex Reversal Feeds is a game changer, now we can control and grow bigger freshwater fish and farmers do not have to go to the whole process of handling hatchlings to fingerlings, but they buy fingerlings from me at my breeding and hatchery farm and grow their own fish, and all the fingerlings I sell to farmers are only male.” “Male fish tend to grow faster and bigger than the female fish, thus bringing in more income for the fish farmers and the breeding of male fish is done by feeding all hatchlings with the sex reversal feed,” said Mr Towa. “Takes 21 days of feeding and 5 times a day which is 8am, 10am, 12pm 2pm and 4pm and SRT is the very first feed we give a hatchling when it comes out of the eggs.” Mr Towa further told PNG HAUSBUNG that the SRT Feeds are very expensive and hard to buy from any store, so they had to travel to Port Moresby and Aiyura in Eastern Highlands Province to buy new supplies. However, recently National Fisheries Authority has given 9 Hatchery farmers training on how to produce their own SRT feeds and right now Mr Towa is making his own SRT feed. “I am excited that now I can make my own SRT feed, I was given the formula to make SRT feed and this has saved me some money and trips.” With more trips and money saved, he said he has more time now to concentrate on giving trainings, guidance and help to new and interested fish farmers.

Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) would like to correct misleading information published in a recent front-page article in one of the daily newspapers in one of the daily newspapers regarding a person claiming to be the rightful beneficiary of a late Member. NSL would also like to provide some clarity around the process which beneficiaries are required to follow to access a deceased Member’s retirement savings. NSL stated that the person featured in the front-page story is in fact not a nominated beneficiary of the late Member, as incorrectly stated in the newspaper article. The late Member had nominated another person as the rightful beneficiary and NSL has been in contact with the correct, designated beneficiary and is following the standard process governed by the Superannuation (General Provisions) Act 2000 to progress the payment of the late Member’s entitlements to the nominated beneficiary. As per this process, the withdrawal application was concluded, and payment was made to the correct nominated beneficiary after all additional documents and requirements were provided to NSL. The headline of this article was also incorrect in implying that the Authorised Superannuation Funds of PNG operate on a “no next of kin, no payment” basis. NSL want to clear this and highlight that this is not the case, in instances where a deceased Member has not nominated any beneficiaries or if there is conflicting information left by the late Member or the family of the late Member, the process is lengthier as NSL is required to investigate. This is an important verification process and ensures that genuine family members’ and beneficiaries’ interests are protected. The unlisted beneficiaries must provide proof of identification and proof of relationship to the late Member. Any additional requirements will be communicated to the unlisted beneficiaries on a case by-case basis depending on their specific circumstances. Interviews are also conducted as a requirement for the verification process and all this information is then reviewed by NSL before a decision is reached and entitlements are then processed and released. For cases where the beneficiaries are listed, the following standard documentation is required; A. Completed Separation Authority Form B. Copy of late Member’s Valid ID (e.g.: driver’s license, work ID, or passport); C. Statutory Declaration Form confirming the beneficiaries’ identity, date of birth, and their relationship to the deceased member; D. Nominated Beneficiaries over 18 years of age must have an active bank account and provide copies of their latest bank statement with a valid form of ID; and E. Demise Letter from Employer and if all required documents are submitted without errors and the beneficiaries are readily available to be interviewed, the entire process takes between three to five days to complete, with payments made to the beneficiaries’ accounts without delay. The Fund strongly encourages Members to protect their loved ones by ensuring that they review and update their list of beneficiaries at least once a year and it takes only a moment of their time and ensures a smooth and quick process for those they leave behind. If left undone, however, this can have a profoundly negative impact on families, as they now not only have to deal with the grief and loss of their loved one but also the stress of having to deal with a process that is longer and more strenuous than it needed to be. NSL seeks to make the process simple; however, the failure to nominate beneficiaries makes it difficult for all parties. We are obligated to protect our members’ funds and we take this role very seriously because unfortunately, there are many people trying to access funds that don’t rightfully belong to them. As a Trustee, NSL works to ensure that we abide by the principles of good corporate governance and operate with no other purpose, other than to serve the interests of our members, by growing and protecting their savings and entitlements. Our members can check their current listed beneficiaries by logging into our online member portal through our website or the Nambawan Super App or they can also call or email our Call Centre team or visit us at their nearest Branch. Members can update their details by filling out a “Member Detail Update Form” (MDUF), have it endorsed and stamped by their authorised designated human resource signatory, and lodge it at their nearest Branch or via email to our Call Centre team. The MDUFs can be downloaded directly from the NSL website, requested via email or from our Call Centre agents, or picked up from any of our 23 Branches nationwide.

The United States Agency for International Development through its PNG Lukautim Graun Program (USAID LGP) is working to protect Papua New Guinea’s rich biodiversity with the awarding of small grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These funds will reduce threats to biodiversity, strengthen traditional landowner’s rights, and promote women’s economic empowerment. Madang based Non-Government Organisation, Mas Kagin Tapani Association (MAKATA), is among the recipients of these small grants involved in empowering local communities to protect species of critically endangered leatherback sea turtles that share their coastal regions. With grant support from USAID LGP, MAKATA conducted community journalism training at Alexishafen, Sumkar district, Madang province, to equip coastal communities with skills and tools to create impact news content that depicts the protection of these turtles and other marine species. Over a two-week period, 32 participants were taught basic content production techniques with hands-on demonstration on the use of the camera to capture still photos and video footage using android phones. The training also delved into the role of traditional media in citizen engagement, offering insights into strategies that increase audience involvement. The participants were also trained to engage policymakers, corporate entities, NGOs, donors, and other stakeholders with their content. With a focus on environmental stewardship, the program aims to ignite voices from local communities, community-based organizations, civil society organizations, churches, and schools. After the training, graduates received certificates recognizing their newly acquired skills and their contribution to positive transformations in their respective communities. Participant, Venantius Barrier, from Murukanam, Ward three, Sumgilbar local level government said, “The training has equipped me with skills to create news stories on my community’s involvement in protecting endangered species, especially the leatherback turtles.” “Thank you MAKATA, and thank you USAID, for funding this training.” Another participant, Miriam Nanek, from Karkar in the Sumkar Local Level Government also shared similar sentiments. She stated, “The information on establishing community-based organization and civil society organization is vital to me.” “I hope to share these with my community and take that approach to form our own CBO to carry out awareness on the protection of endangered species.” “Thank you, USAID, for making this training possible.”

Fish farming is now growing in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea as more new farmers show interest in it. Mr. Jacob Towa, owner of Towa Fish Breeding and Hatchery Farm in the Western Highlands Province and private fish farming consultant, highlighted that in the recent years more and more farmers have cut out big patch of their land and converted them into fishponds for fish farming. Mr. Towa stated that the demand for fish in the Highlands region is also increasing, thus it has become one of the main protein dishes for many households now. “More and more people are starting to enjoy fish, the protein which was only sought to as something from the coastal area,” said Towa. “More people find fish to be very affordable and a healthier choice, thus this has also put a demand on the supply of fish in the market.” With the demand on fish supply, it is a good thing to also see that more and more new farmers have shifted from poultry and pig farming and tapping into fish farming. “Right now, in Western Highlands Province there are about 50 plus farmers who have showed interest in fish farming.” “Many are starting to dig big mass of land to turn in to fish farm ponds while others have already purchased their fingerlings and have started the first phase of fish farming process.” There are about 43 new fish farmers in Southern Highlands Province who are now doing fish farming with more showing interest and with more new farmers in Tamnul and Walum Junctions. “With new framers emerging, I try to make it my priority to visit them all and give them hands on tips and training.” “I am also conducting trainings in areas that do not have fish farms and in areas that have interest in fish farming, and they have invited me to conduct trainings and workshop for all interested new farmers.” Mr. Towa highlighted that his work has even branched out to Wewak in East Sepik and currently there are about a hundred plus fish farmers in Wewak. “I have already sent about 70,000 fingerlings to the fish farmers in Wewak to grow in their fishponds and about 60,000 are still in stock to send as soon as National Fisheries Authority arrange farmers in Wewak to receive their next batch or fingerlings.” Towa further added that the demand for freshwater fish is now very high, however production is low, therefore he is urging those that have big space of land and there is fresh water closer or have water supply and do not know what to do with that land, turn it to Fish Farm.

Japan's release of over one million tonnes of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific is officially underway. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings has confirmed that the disposal started at 1pm local time on Thursday. "This is a big step and punctuating moment in the process of decommissioning," TEPCO spokesperson Junichi Matsumoto told media on Thursday. "We will have 30 years or so [to release the water], we will ensure safety and quality. "We will accomplish this discharge, we have to buckle down ourselves and we have to do it with an intense attitude," he said. TEPCO said it was an important step towards decommissioning the destroyed Fukushima power plant after it was hit by a tsunami 12 years ago. "Per day 460 tonnes is the amount of discharge. So if there are no troubles in about 17 days, 7800 cubic metres of water will be successfully discharged," Matsumoto said. Assurances were given in TEPCO's latest media briefing that if unsafe levels of Tritium were detected, the operation would stop until the water has been re-treated through its ALPS processing system and was safe. Daily monitoring has begun and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is also independently monitoring the process on site. "So, after a sea water pump is operated regarding the vertical shaft, the monitoring will become in service," Junichi Matsumoto said. The treated water is being discharged "continuously", he added. [caption id="attachment_44247" align="aligncenter" width="1081"] Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone[/caption] Holding Japan 'fully accountable' Pacific leaders are committed to holding Japan accountable should anything go wrong, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna said. "We've done our best to get Japan not to commence the discharge, until there is full agreement that it's verifiably safe to do so. But Japan has taken a sovereign decision. "And you know, that point is now past. What we need to focus on now is to hold Japan to account," he said. He said Japan has made a guarantee that it will comply with international standards and the Pacific will be watching keenly to make sure it stays that way. "Since the announcement of the discharge in April 2021, our leaders have been busy engaging with Japan. "The statements are very clear. Their collective statements expressing our concerns given our nuclear legacy issues and that position has never changed," Puna said. Pacific leaders are to discuss the issue face-to-face in Rarotonga in November at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting. Source: RNZ.Com

Kundiawa Gembogl member  Muguwa Dilu is now calling on the National Disaster and Emergency Service (NDES) to quickly move into provinces and assess the drought situation that is currently hitting the country. Mr Dilu said the National Weather Service has informed that the El Nino induced drought hitting the country will develop but it is unclear whether the National Disaster and Emergency Service (NDES) and relevant state agencies are moving to assess the situation on the ground and recommending mitigation measures needed. “By now we should know how bad the drought is affecting our people in the provinces.” “I am getting reports that fresh water sources are drying up and food gardens are being destroyed, and yet there is no official report to confirm or deny these reports.” “We are heading for a major disaster here but where is the NDES?” “It should be out there, assessing the situation on the ground and reporting to Government as well as the provincial authorities.” “I just hope our people are doing well out there despite heat during the day and the cold during the night that is becoming so unbearable, and I will not be surprised if people are starting to get sick, go hungry and have no water.” Mr Dilu further stated while everyone is sweltering in the heat and catching cold in the night, there is no official word from the NDES or from the provincial headquarters on the weather that is developing. Dilu added that in recent years, the weather has become unpredictable due to global warming and its impact on the climate around the world. “We have wet season and dry season and in the past, our people knew exactly when both weather patterns started and ended, and they planned their gardens and other traditional activities around them but today it has become difficult, and this has affected food production around the country.” He further added that back in the 70s and 80s, state agencies like the National Disaster and Emergency Services, the disciplinary forces, the provincial affairs department, and the provincial departments would have moved already and attend to places affected by drought and El-Nino. “The authorities would be in the villages assessing the situation and reporting to the government on what was happening on the ground and getting help from the communities.” “In those days, the official response in times of natural disasters was spontaneous but it seems, but today state agencies tasked to watch over such natural threats seem to play the wait and see game.” He is further calling on National Disaster and Emergency Service to go into province Chimbu, Hela, Southern Highlands and others who are under the drought watch and start making assessment as soon as possible.

The U.S. Embassy Port Moresby announces the departure of the Chargé d'Affaires Joe Zadrozny who served as Chief of Mission since April 14, 2022. Mr. Zadrozny first arrived in Papua New Guinea in August 2021 to assume the role of Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy. Prior to his departure, Zadrozny met with Prime Minister Marape to highlight our ongoing commitment to development and prosperity in Papua New Guinea and during the meeting, he relayed the message that the United States is committed to working with Papua New Guinea to reach its goals, including becoming economically independent. Chargé d'Affaires Joe Zadrozny stated that US President Biden launched the Pacific Island Summit last year which began a new era of cooperation between the United States and the Pacific. “Together, we vowed to promote mutual respect with the United States and the people of the Pacific Islands joining forces to realize a common vision for the region that's all about being free, open, connected, prosperous, and secure and since my arrival here in Port Moresby, first as Deputy Chief of Mission and then as Chargé d’Affaires, I’ve seen all our countries deliver on the promises made in Washington.” He highlighted that one year ago, US embassy worked with top American companies to launch the American Chamber of Commerce Coral Sea which will support trade and investment in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. “We then made our historic move to an upgraded and environmentally friendly embassy in Port Moresby, an enduring symbol of our commitment to our relationship and shortly after, we reopened our embassy in Solomon Islands, ensuring a long-lasting dialogue with the people there.” He further stated that in another historic highlight, Congress brought four members of Parliament from Papua New Guinea to the United States on the Open World program, the first time this program has operated in the Pacific. And finally, in the past four months we’ve seen the visit of the highest representatives from Diplomacy, Defense, and Development. “On May 22 of this year, Secretary Blinken met with high-level representatives from every Pacific nation at a historic forum at APEC Haus. On July 27, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Prime Minister Marape here in Port Moresby to emphasize our joint commitment to modernize Papua New Guinea’s defense force and work together on investing in upgraded defence facilities.” “And on August 13, USAID Administrator Samantha Power visited Papua New Guinea and announced the opening of the USAID Country Representative Office which will expand USAID's significant investments to provide life-saving assistance in response to humanitarian crises, facilitate greater access to clean energy for thousands of Papua New Guineans, help build capacity to prepare for future natural disasters – especially as the effects of the climate crisis intensify, and strengthen the country’s health sector that was strained by the COVID-19 pandemic.” He added that from his time here in Papua New Guinea, there were tangible results from President Biden’s 2022 promise at the historic U.S.-Pacific Islands Summit to increase US presence throughout the region and work together to advance the economic, security, and social development goals of our partners and more milestones lay ahead for US and the Pacific. “We are partnering with Johns Hopkins University to send the first cohort of leaders from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and other Pacific nations to the U.S. Pacific Institute for Rising Leaders program this fall.” He further added that the open World program will expand to include another cohort of Parliamentarians from Papua New Guinea as well as from Vanuatu so by the end of this year, the US Government hopes to open an embassy in Vanuatu and expand their presence there. “As I depart my post as Chargé d'Affaires, I want to reiterate our commitment to sovereignty and autonomy as we strengthen our mutually beneficial partnerships in the Pacific.” “My successor is looking forward to working with the people here to find ways to do even more together and to build a peaceful and prosperous future for generations to come.” The U.S. Embassy welcomed the new Deputy Chief of Mission Matthew Bunt on August 20, who will assume the role of Chargé d'Affaires, the highest-ranking position at the U.S. Embassy.

Pacific leaders are still on the fence about proposed plans to release treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific - with Japan set to announce its final sign-off and start date. The past, present and future Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) chairs - known as Troika - have not decided if they are for or against the imminent discharge. The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has been urged at its meeting in Port Vila this week urging Japan not to go through with the release. Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Matai Seremaiah said Japan's plans to release the treated wastewater from the destroyed Fukushima power plant site needed robust actions. "[We are] urging polluters not to discharge the treated water in the Pacific Ocean until and unless the treated water is incontrovertibly proven to be safe to do so, and [to] seriously consider other options," he said. This is contrary to former PIF chair and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who said he is satisfied Japan's plan is safe after reading the UN nuclear agency's report. Rabuka apologised to his Troika counterparts for going out on his own and backing the plans prior to the Troika meeting. The concerns have gone back and forth for months, but the International Atomic Energy Agency said the discharge plan meets relevant international standards. The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to make a final decision on Tuesday, after recently visiting the site. Japan's state broadcaster, NHK, reports the government is aiming to start discharging the water as early as Thursday. Kishida said he saw some progress in the understanding of the plan by Japan's fishing industry. He made the comment after meeting with Sakamoto Masanobu, the head of the National Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Associations, and other representatives on Monday. But Masanobu said he remains opposed to the release of treated water, as the plan has not won public approval. Source: rnz.com

PNG Power’s much needed technical equipment to complete installation works for its new Edevu Hydro Power Station and the Moitaka Sub Station have finally arrived in Port Moresby, directly from Shenzhen, China last night (Sunday 20th August 2023). A Boeing 767 cargo freighter loaded with close to 100 tons of PNG Power cargoes, mostly Switching Gears and Control Panels, landed safely on a four (4) hour direct flight, it is said to be the first of its kind. State Enterprise Minister William Duma, China’s Ambassador to PNG Mr Zeng Fanhua, KCH Board and Management team, Air Niugini and NAC as well as members from Allan Guo Investments, PNG Power’s CEO and PNG Power Chairman Mr McRonald Nale were there to receive the freighter airplane. Mr Nale acknowledged the State Enterprise Minister William Duma, the current government under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr James Marape, as well as Kumul Consolidated Holdings Limited, for there continuous support to ensure PNG Power can improve in the delivery of cheap, affordable, reliable, and clean power supply to its customers. Mr Nale also made acknowledgements to PNG Power’s Development Partner, Allan Guo Investments, for its ongoing support and investment foresight within the power industry. “I would like to acknowledge Allan Guo for bringing solutions for PNG Power. This Edevu hydro will bring into the Port Moresby Grid, 54 megawatts of power, which will lead into more least cost generation, something Allan has gone out of his way without any PNG Power or State guarantee, to resolve within PNG Power and its Port Moresby Grid as well as the Ramu Grid.” Mr Nale further thanked Mr Allan Guo for his urgency in organizing this Chartered flight directly from China, to bring all the necessary equipment to complete the construction of Edevu Hydro and the Moitaka Sub Station. “Work would have been delayed by two months, If AG Investments and PNG Power decided to ship in all the materials and equipment.” Futhermore Mr Nale gave assurance to the Government, its shareholder KCH and partners who were present for the occasion, that PNG Power has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, however there are changes taking place to ensure PNG Power solves all its power generation and transmission issues. “Tonight (Sunday 20th August 2023) is a testimony that PNG Power is actually changing for the right reasons, and we look forward to commission Edevu Hydro in October to improve power reliability as well as cheaper power, within the Port Moresby Grid.”

Chimbu, Hela and Southern Highlands Province continue to remain under Drought Watch and these provinces will be on a three months’ timescale watch. The National Weather Service reveals that Southern Highlands is at Drought Watch with severe vulnerability and exposure levels. At this stage, El Nino Alert also continues, and the Climate Models suggest that a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event is likely to develop by early September and the impacts tend to be more extreme when El Nino events are compounded with a positive IOD event. Right now, the National Weather Office has pointed out that drought critical areas have emerged in parts of Western Province and the drought watch conditions persist for Chimbu, Hela and Southern Highlands province at a 3 months’ time scale. At the 12-month rainfall timescale, deficiencies linger for Bougainville, East New Britain, New Ireland and Manus as well as some areas in the Highlands and Momase Provinces. The long-term deficiencies will have different impacts to short term rain fall deficiencies thus this will result in low ground water, brackish wells and reduced stream flow may be some impacts observed at this time scale. So Chimbu, Hela and Southern Highlands Province all have a majority drought watch status with severe exposure and vulnerability levels. National Weather Service stated in the summary of the relevant climate drivers affecting PNG over the coming months that their ACCESS-S- outlook for September to November forecasts are average to slightly above average rainfall which will be experienced in Northern Province (Oro), Madang and East Sepik, and the rest of the country is forecasted to receive from average to below average rainfall. At this stage, El Nino Alert Status is still current according to Australian Bureau of Meteorology. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currently neutral, whereby the Climate models suggest that a positive IOD event is likely to develop by early September. During El Nino events, rain is usually reduced in most of PNG and the Highlands region sees a greater risk of frost due to colder nights caused by less clouds cover.

Ocean clean-up crews have fished out the most trash ever taken from one of the largest garbage patches in the world. The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit environmental engineering organization, saw its largest extraction earlier this month by removing about 25,000 pounds of trash from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Alex Tobin, head of public relations and media for the organisation, told ABC News. The vessels are currently on the way back to port in Victoria, British Columbia, after having collected about 50 tons of garbage in four weeks, Tobin said. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an enormous pile of floating trash carried by ocean currents and winds to the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is the largest of the world's five ocean garbage patches. It is difficult to determine an exact size, as the trash is constantly moving, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Ocean Cleanup has estimated the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to have grown to twice the size of the state of Texas, Tobin said. The patch in the Pacific has grown so much that a new coastal ecosystem is thriving on it, a study published by Nature Ecology & Evolution in April found. Garbage patches pose dangers to the local ecosystem by entangling marine life in fishing nets, animals eating plastic and other debris and by transporting non-native species from foreign habitats, according to NOAA. It is unclear how garbage patches affect human health, but humans may be exposed to microplastics from a number of sources from the ocean, such as seafood and sea salt, according to NOAA. It may not be possible to entirely rid the ocean's garbage patches of trash, especially since some of the material will take a long time to break down in the environment, according to NOAA. Plastics may never fully break down. The Ocean Cleanup's aim is to remove 90 percent of floating plastic from the oceans by 2040, which they believe is achievable, Tobin said. [caption id="attachment_43992" align="aligncenter" width="1058"] The Ocean Cleanup's "System 03" will be nearly three times as long as the previous system, enabling much more trash pickup. Photo: The Ocean Cleanup[/caption] The nonprofit has a two-pronged approach of removing "legacy plastics" and debris before the UV rays break the material down into microplastics, which are nearly impossible to collect. One of the most remarkable items they have pulled is a Vietnam War-era canteen. Other common materials are rigid plastics that float into the ocean and fishing nets, Tobin said. The system involves two vessels that have a device that skims the water to collect all of the debris. The environmental group is also working to clear the rivers that feed into the oceans of trash as well to ensure they are able to clean as much as possible. "Our goal is to kind of put ourselves out of business," Tobin said. "We don't want to be doing this forever and ever." By the end of the month, The Ocean Cleanup will launch System 03, a larger version of its current system of floating barriers. Its predecessor, System 02, which was utilized in the most recent mission, is about 875 yards long. The new replacement measures at about 2,400 yards long, which will lead to much bigger and more successful catches, Tobin said. System 03 is capable of clearing the size of a football field every five seconds, about twice the speed of the current system, Tobin said. The nonprofit has also been using artificial intelligence computational modeling to locate where the most plastic is in the ocean -- a method they named "plastic hotspot modeling." "It's sad that there's so much out there, but we're very happy that we now have developed a system that is tackling this more and more effectively," Tobin said. During the week-long journey from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch back to port, the trash gets sorted on the ship, and the nonprofit recycles as much material as possible. The nonprofit then works with partners worldwide to ensure that the products made with the recycled plastic are not ones that will end up back in oceans or rivers, Tobin said, adding that one of those partnerships is with a Korean car manufacturer that uses the plastics in the construction of electric vehicles. "We just want to make sure it doesn't end up back where we found it," Tobin said. Source: rnz.com

PNG Power Limited is advising its valued customers and the public in Port Moresby that they will be undertaking an important maintenance work under the Rouna 1 Rehabilitation Project this weekend. This project is part of the Port Moresby Grid Development Project and work will begin from 12.00 am (midnight) Saturday, August 19, 2023, to 12.00 am (midnight), Monday, August 21, 2023, and will affect the water supply in NCD. However, PPL anticipates that it will not affect the power supply in NCD. This critical work will involve cutting and blanking off the current shared pipeline between PNG Power Ltd and Water PNG after the Rouna 1 and 3 head-ponds. Once the pipeline is cut and separated, Water PNG will have a dedicated pipeline to supply water to its water treatment facility at Mt. Eriama uninterrupted. PPL wants to assure its valued customers that in the future therefore any planned maintenance works by PPL at Rouna 1 and 3 will not affect the water supply to Water PNG and Port Moresby city residents. PPL is now working closely with Water PNG to ensure this planned work is undertaken and completed on time. PPL also advises city residents to store enough water for use during the work as Water PNG will have a limited supply from their intakes at Rouna 4 and Bomana. PPL want to sincerely apologise to the Port Moresby city residents for any inconvenience that they may cause because of this upgrade works, they will undertake at Rouna 1.