BOATS LEAVING ABIDJAN; SAILORS; LEAFLETS; DIOMANDE THROWING LIFEBUOY WITH LEAFLETS OVERBOARD; SAILORS PREPARING GUNS FOR FIRING LEAFLETS; LEAFLETS FORM ROCKET LAUNCHERS.




Initials KM/V/MR/MH



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Background: THE IVORY COAST NAVY TOOK PART IN AN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME TO FIGHT SEA POLLUTION ON FRIDAY (16 JANUARY). THREE COAST GUARD VESSELS FIRED WATER-PROOF MESSAGES INTO THE SEA OFF ABIDJAN REQUESTING THE FINDER TO RETURN THEM TO ANY ONE OF A NUMBER OF CENTRES WITH THE EXACT PLACE AND DATE OF DISCOVERY.

THE ANTI-POLLUTION CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED IN 1962 BY A BELGIAN WEEKLY MAGAZINE AS A CHILDREN'S BEACH GAME. ITS VALUE IN AIDING HYDROGRAPHERS TO CHART VARIOUS OCEAN CURRENTS SOON BECAME OBVIOUS AND WITH THE BACKING OF A NUMBER OF SCIENTIFIC ORGANISATIONS IT SOON BECAME A WORLD-WIDE EFFORT TO COMBAT POLLUTION.

THE ORGANISERS ENLISTED THE HELP OF NOTABLE SCIENTISTS, POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS, AND HEADS OF STATE INCLUDING PRESIDENT HOUPHOUET BOIGNY OF THE IVORY COAST.

DURING FRIDAY'S RUN MORE THAN 25,000 "MESSAGES IN THE SEA" WERE DUMPED. AMONG OFFICIALS ON HAND TO HELP WERE MR. LOUA DIOMANDE, THE IVORY COAST MINISTER FOR TOURISM.