OceansWatch

14/05/2026

Homeward bound…

We leave feeling deeply full—and incredibly privileged to have been welcomed so generously by the people of Efate, who shared their time, stories, and perspectives with us.

More to come once we’ve had a chance to properly sift through the interviews and footage.

Stepping off the plane to a “beware of snakes” sign at the airport is a sure sign we’re back in Australia!

07/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CHhHymNeZ/

02/05/2026

OceansWatch in Vanuatu!

Jo and I had the privilege of speaking with Honoré and James, who represent the communities of Erakor Lagoon near Port Vila—an area facing increasing pressure from residential, tourism, and commercial activity. They highlighted key challenges facing the communal lagoon, including declining water quality, beach erosion, and plastic pollution.

These communities take part in the Erakor Lagoon Restoration Plan whose aims are to stop pollution, to clean and restore the lagoon while raising environmental awareness and livelihood benefits. A strong focus is on plastic waste: regular clean-ups engage the youth, while innovative reuse—such as turning plastic into mangrove seedling pots and sewing handmade bags—both reduces waste and creates income opportunities for local women.

We were especially uplifted to learn that this movement began with one individual who consistently started cleaning the rubbish with a canoe, and started interacting with the community, inspiring them to protect the lagoon. Amazing!

25/04/2026

OceansWatch in Vanuatu!

We felt genuinely privileged to be welcomed into the evening routine at the local Nakamal (community meeting place) in Ohlen Flick, a village near Port Vila. As neighbours drift in—buying home-cooked food or sharing a shell of kava—the space comes alive.

Through the help of our wonderful translator Annie, Selina shares her experience of the single-use plastics ban. She speaks candidly about the challenges, like the added cost of reusable bags, but also the transformation: a village that is visibly cleaner, with far less plastic waste than before.

Such a fantastic visit!

22/04/2026

OceansWatch in Vanuatu!

Beautiful Lelepa Island 💓

We meet Max, a local community member turning concern into action—raising awareness about plastic pollution and bringing the village’s young people together for beach clean-ups.

He also shares his work in coral planting and his vision to strengthen the village’s resiliency to climate change impacts, support food access, and protecting the shoreline by restoring the reef just offshore.

All of this, alongside his paid employment, amazing!

19/04/2026

OceansWatch in Vanuatu!

Lovely Pango ❤️

Jo and I are speaking with Sam, Serah and Stephanie. They share with us the challenges of their community - plastic pollution, climate change impacts such as beach erosion and access to clean freshwater.

They are active in a local ngo - Elau Inros (rising oceans in the local language) - which got its start from a shared love of surfing and the ocean! They are working on making Pango more climate resilient and organize activities such as village and beach cleanups, raising environmental awareness and fostering a tighter knit community by engaging the local youth into these activities.

Very inspiring!

17/04/2026

OceansWatch Heading to Vanuatu!!

Jo and I are returning to Vanuatu to learn more about the single use plastics ban that the Vanuatuan government implemented in 2018. We are speaking to local women and their communities, to discover how this has impacted them.

Vanuatu has been one of the leaders in tackling plastic pollution, leaps and bounds ahead of many developed nations. How have the people adjusted and found alternatives?

Jo and I were both part of the 2011 OceansWatch expedition in the Solomon Islands, working alongside the awesome Tuo and Rennell communities, doing ReefCheck assessments and collaboratively creating local marine protected areas.

We are so excited to be back in Vanuatu!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year to all. Here is our new Website. Please share

Supporting Pacific island communities through marine conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and climate change mitigation in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

25/10/2024

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