A temporary boom has been placed across the mouth of Samoa's Vaisigano River to stop rubbish washing into Apia Harbour.
Another three booms will be installed on Apia's other major rivers to try and keep the harbour and the marina clear of debris, before next week's United Nations Small Island Developing States conference.
The 120 metre boom has a buoyant top with a net suspended below to catch any rubbish.
The initiative is a collaboration involving the United Nations Environment Programme, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and the Samoan Government.
It calls for local communities to help take care of the boom and to develop good practices to reduce the amount of waste in the rivers.
A spokesperson for the Women's Committee of the Vaisigano area, Hinemoa Matagi, says they are striving to educate villagers on the importance of not dumping rubbish in riverways.
