An environmental activist in the Cook Islands says the government must listen to the experts on the merits of seabed mining. The Cook Islands is reputed to have billions of dollars worth of mineral-laden nodules on its ocean floor and is keen to exploit them. It is opposed to a call for a 10 year […]
Category: Our region
PNG rejects observer suspension on fishing vessels
The Papua New Guinea Fishing Industry Association (PNGFIA) has rejected the recent suspension by the Western and Central Pacific Fishing Commission (WCPFC) of observer coverage services on board purse seine fishing vessels. WCPFC, based in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, is a tuna conservation body whose membership include most countries with fishing interests in the […]
Report on New Caledonia’s coral reefs offers a glimmer of hope for the future
A new report from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) provides a promising assessment of the status of coral reefs in New Caledonia. Released today, the Global Reef Expedition: New Caledonia Final Report summarizes the Foundation’s findings from a research mission to study the health and resiliency of the coral reefs of New […]
Helping Solomon Islands build resilience through ecosystem-based adaptation
Following is a Q & A series on Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Staff. In this series, we will be introducing you to members of our SPREP team, giving you the chance to learn more about what we do. Mr Fred Siho Patison is the SPREP Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change […]
FFA continues to monitor fishing amidst COVID19 situation
As Pacific nations face the threat of coronavirus to their health and economic growth, the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has taken action to continue to monitor and control fishing of the world’s largest tuna stocks. A key tool in FFA Member’s efforts for monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing in Pacific nations is […]
Tackling Plastic Pollution And Marine Oil Spills In The Pacific – A Q&A With Mr Anthony Talouli, Pollution Adviser
The following is part of a Q & A series on SPREP staff. In this series, we will be introducing you to members of our SPREP team, giving you the chance to learn more about what we do. Mr Anthony Sumasafu Talouli is the Pollution Adviser at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme […]
Vanuatu bans importation of OKI tinned fish from China
The Vanuatu Government will ban importation of OKI tinned fish from China to prevent citizens from being exposed to food hazard, after a large quantity of contaminated products were sent to volcano victims on Tanna. These OKI tinned fish contained worms, which is a physical hazard and not fit for consumption although they are dead […]
Happy International Day for Biological Diversity!
‘Our Solutions are in Nature’ is the theme for this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity observed annually on 22 May. Nature-based solutions can support climate change adaptation, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity provides the answer to a number of sustainable development challenges we face. Corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) has given the […]
Eco-tourism major key to ‘tricky’ Pacific economic reset, says Leary
As New Zealand prepares to go to alert level two in the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, the attention turns to the recovery of the economy – and we must spare a thought for the economies of the Pacific. Most of the Pacific relies on tourism, as does New Zealand, however devastation of the industry has rendered […]
Tropical cyclone season officially over
Eight tropical cyclones crossed the Exclusive Economic Zones of the South Pacific this 2019 – 2020 tropical cyclone season that officially ended in April. In Meteorological terms, this is known as a ‘near normal’ season. Tropical Cyclones Rita, Sarai, Tino, Uesi, Vicky, Wasi, Gretel and Harold wreaked havoc across the Pacific islands highlighting the need […]