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

Singer/musician duo Raychel & Richard Narruhn from FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA won the First Prize and $USD 3000 for their original composition “We Call Out to the World” (viewable on the PNA Tuna Facebook page).

Runners Up Prizes of $500 were awarded to DARRYL MEGIARNI from PAPUA NEW GUINEA for his poem “How Many?” and LLOYD NEWTON from SOLOMON ISLANDS for his painting “How people see tuna” (viewable in Attachments at the bottom of this page)

A Community Prize of $1000 USD was awarded to a women’s group entry by Mwoakilloa women (directed by Emihner Johnson) for their Winehk (bird school) dance depicting tuna fishing and consumption in Pohnpei, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA (viewable on the PNA Tuna Facebook page).

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. Last year the day was ratified by the United Nations to be celebrated worldwide.

Since 2012, PNA has run the World Tuna Day Art and Talent Quest to profile the unique relationship the people of its member countries have with tuna and its diverse artistic and cultural heritage. The competition has attracted thousands of islander artists, writers, film-makers and musicians and dancers to enter, and has promoted the sharing of stories across the culturally diverse PNA region.

PNA CEO Ludwig Kumoru said: “We are delighted at the number and diversity of entries in the PNA World Tuna Day Art and Talent Quest – from remote communities, to students to established and well-known creative artists. The PNA thanks all entrants who shared their inspiration and stories with us. I would like to especially congratulates this year’s winners who have shown exceptional talent and creativity in their works, which remind us of the cultural and social value of tuna in our lives.”

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