MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS, 2 MAY 2016: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) today announced the winners of the PNA World Tuna Day Art and Talent Quest.

Jasmine Mendiola from Federated States of Micronesia won the First Prize and $USD3000 for her poem entitled “Teach Your Children” which tells of each generation learning about the need to conserve tuna.

Runners-up prizes (USD $500 each) were awarded to Tiarite Kwong of Kiribati for the artwork “Pacific ways of fishing” depicting traditional Kiribati fishing methods for tuna and Schneider Yasi of Papua New Guinea for the literary poem “Marrow in Your Bones” which touches on themes of tuna in local cultures, conservation and health.

Due to the high quality of entries this year, Special Mention prizes of USD $400 were also awarded to two entries from Solomon Islands - portrait artist Brian Feni for his painting “Tuna and local cultures” and James Tuita for his poem “Pacific Tuna in the Wild”.

All winning entries can be seen on Monday May 2 on http://pnatuna.com/World-Tuna-Day

PNA CEO Dr Transform Aqorau said: “I found many of this year’s entries to the PNA World Tuna Day Art and Talent Quest beautiful, creative and touching. They are a reminder of the significance of tuna in our daily lives, our culture and our heritage here in the Pacific. I would like to thank everyone who entered this year as we celebrate World Tuna Day.”

In 2011, PNA Ministers declared May 2 to be World Tuna Day, a special day for all who are involved in tuna fishing and tuna conservation and management to celebrate the wonders of tuna with communities around the world. Since 2012, PNA has run the World Tuna Day Art and Talent Quest to profile the unique relationship local people have with tuna and its diverse artistic and cultural heritage.

To be involved in next year’s competition or to learn more Like PNA-Tuna on Facebook or follow PNA on Twitter @pnatunatweet

ALL PRIZE WINNING ENTRIES CAN BE VIEWED BELOW BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS.