If you’ve been following the news related to COVID-19, you will have heard the mantra “testing, testing, testing”. The understanding is, if we don’t know how the virus is spreading, how can we possibly contain or manage it? When you think about it, the same logic applies to climate change – how can we possibly […]
Tag: Oceans
New kids book calls for nuclear justice on World Ocean Day
In commemorating World Ocean Day, a new children’s book was launched to celebrate the history and journey of nuclear justice in the Marshall Islands. Elimoñdik is the first in a new series of children’s books by author, Brooke Takala, from the Marshall Islands. It is a story told to two young boys, Ahti and Aapo, of […]
We need to slow down and reconnect with our Ocean for the future of the planet, says SPC
COVID19 has brought the world to a halt. The devastating impact of the global pandemic on people’s lives and the world’s economy is a jarring and historic turning point for all of us but it is also an opportunity to re-think many of our practices. As we mark World Oceans Day, the current global slowdown […]
Meet the Innovator Protecting our Oceans in Solomon Islands: Dr. Katy Soapi
Katy’s work researching marine Genetic Resources has played an important role in ongoing United Nations negotiations over the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Katy is also one of the founders of the Tetepare Descendants’ Association in the Solomon Islands. Tell us about yourself. I grew up on […]
Aiming for a ‘Bluer Pacific’ in post COVID-19 recovery plans
As the Pacific islands assess ways to build back economies severely struck by the COVID-19 crisis, the environmental impacts faced worldwide highlight the opportunity we now have in our hands to build back a ‘Bluer Pacific’. Key to this is, is an environmental component in all post COVID-19 recovery plans across our Pacific islands region. […]
Protecting Fiji’s most important marine areas
The Government of Fiji is committed to a national network of 30 percent Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by the end of 2020. With the support of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Oceania Regional Office, and other government agencies, and NGO partners, Fiji’s offshore zero draft map was officially presented to the Ministry […]
Environmentalist calls on Cooks gov’t to listen to experts on seabed mining
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]