Mangrove ecosystems play a critical role in harbouring biodiversity and providing a variety of ecosystem services. The need for developing better techniques for classifying and monitoring mangroves is increasing, especially with the growing demand in blue carbon markets. However, many countries are challenged by the need to improve their mangrove cover estimates to inform decision-making on coastal land use and to guide local conservation efforts including restoration planning. This manual was developed to help overcome this problem by providing guidance, specifically targeted to build capacity for mangrove resource managers on how to use and take advantage of the latest technologies in mapping and monitoring mangroves. It enables collection of data that informs conservation decision-making, guiding the planning of mangrove restoration and protection activities that will ultimately lead to enhanced management and conservation of mangroves. In addition, case studies are presented on estimating mangrove extent, structure, condition and change, using a range of remote sensing-derived sources that are focused on < 5-m spatial resolution.

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30×30 Progress Tracker

In partnership with Bloomberg Ocean Initiative, SkyTruth is developing an entry point for 30x30 stakeholders.

Nature Conservation Index

Species do not exist in isolation; they are interconnected. A key element to addressing environmental problems, such as improving water quality and renewing biodiversity, involves addressing nature conservation at its core.

03. Guidelines for Management Planning of Protected Areas

Lee, T. and Middleton, J. 2003. Guidelines for Management Planning of Protected Areas.  IUCN Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.

04. Some Management Plans are Lengthy

How thick should a management plan be?  To be sure, there are some thick plans out there heavy enough for use as a door stop.  Seriously, a management plan is as thick as it needs to be based upon near term (10-15 years) management needs, legal and regulatory complexity, the environment

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King, M., Passfield, K. and Ropeti, R.  2001. Management of Village Fisheries: Samoa’s Community-based Management Strategy.

07. Fisheries Management By Communities: A Manual on Promoting the Management of Subsistence Fisheries by Pacific Island Communities

King, M, Lambeth, L. 2000. Fisheries Management By Communities: A Manual on Promoting the Management of Subsistence Fisheries by Pacific Island Communities. Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia.

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A Basic Guide to Protected Area Management Plans

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Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. (Dasyatidae), a new species of blue-spotted maskray from Fiji, previously confused with Neotrygon kuhlii (Müller and Henle 1841) or Neotrygon trigonoides (Castelnau 1873), is described based on nine specimens (310–397 mm disc width) from Fiji.

A Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of the Kaijende Highlands, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is an independent state occupying the eastern half of New Guinea, the world’s largest and highest tropical island.

A rapid biodiversity assessment of the Nakauvadra Highlands, Ra Province, Fiji

The Republic of Fiji consists of approximately 300 islands located roughly 3000 km east of Australia in the Pacific Ocean (between 16o and 20oS, 177oW and 175oE). There are four main islands in the Fiji group: Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Kadavu.

A Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of the Nakorotubu Range, Ra and Tailevu Provinces, Fiji.

Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) is an innovative biological inventory program designed to use scientific information to catalyze conservation action.

A Rapid Biodiversity Assessment, Socioeconomic Study and Archaeological Survey of the Rewa River Mangroves, Viti Levu, Fiji.

This report presents the findings of an expedition conducted under the Fiji MESCAL programme at the demonstration site: the Rewa River mangroves. The expedition team carried out surveys of the area’s biodiversity, cultural and archaeological heritage and its socioeconomic profile. 

A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Mt. Panié and Roches de la Ouaième region, province Nord, New Caledonia

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This report presents the results of a rapid field assessment of Milne Bay Province, which encompasses the extreme southeastern tip of mainland Papua New Guinea and an extensive offshore area immediately eastward.

A Rapid Marine Biodiversity Assessment of the Coral Reefs of the Northwest Lagoon, between Koumac and Yandé, Province Nord, New Caledonia

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A review of existing guidelines and current practices (Supporting document to the Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines)

The Pacific Ocean is the largest geographic feature of planet Earth. The Pacific region is home to more than 38 million people1 who rely on it for economic, social and cultural wellbeing, and it is critically important to the global ecosystem.

A Review of the Management and Conservation of Sea Turtles in Vanuatu

The Marine Turtle Review report for Vanuatu was completed in 2022. The recommendations in this report provide guidance on the way forward to improving management and conservation of sea turtles in Vanuatu.

A Review of the Status of Sea Turtles in the Pacific Ocean 2021

This status review is a compilation of the most recent literature and statistics on the status of sea turtles in the Pacific Ocean region, providing a clearer understanding of the risks to sea turtles and their habitats.

A sustainable ocean economy in 2030: Opportunities and challenges

In this report the World Ocean Initiative assesses the challenges facing key sectors in the ocean economy, including seafood, shipping, tourism and renewable energy.

Achieving the Potential of Locally Managed Marine Areas in the South Pacific

Govan H. 2009. SPC Traditional Marine Resource Management and Knowledge Information Bulletin #25

Advancing Sustainable Development and Protected Area Management with Social Media‐Based Tourism Data

Sustainable tourism involves increasingly attracting visitors while preserving the natural capital of a destination for future generations.

Agriculture and conservation

In 2021, IUCN launched the IUCN Flagship Report Series, to help demonstrate the importance of conserving nature for human well-being and all life on Earth. This report, the second in the series, focuses on agriculture and nature.

An Assessment of Marine Turtle Exploitation in Papua New Guinea

In the early 1980s Spring’s report on marine turtle species distribution indicated there were 6 species of turtles that could be found in PNG water including the green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead, olive ridley and the flatback turtles.

An international assessment of the barriers influencing the effectiveness of island ecosystem management

Island ecosystems are disproportionally impacted by biodiversity loss and as such their effective management is critical to global conservation efforts.

An Introduction to the MPA guide

The Marine Protected Area (MPA) Guide refines existing language and captures a shared vision to describe MPAs and the conservation outcomes they provide. The Guide is the work of many hundreds of stakeholders from around the world.

Assessing Protected Area Management Effectiveness

The Nature Conservancy. Assessing Protected Area Management Effectiveness. Convention on Biological Diversity and World Wildlife Fund for Nature Conservation. 2008

Assessing the quantity and quality of marine protected areas in the Mariana Islands

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are ubiquitous in global ocean conservation and play a pivotal role in achieving local, national, and regional area-based conservation targets.

Assessment of management effectiveness for PNG's protected areas 2017

This is the final report prepared by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) for submission to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Papua New Guinea Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) in relation to the 2016–17 assessment of t

Assessment of Target and Non-target Species catch rates in the Kikori Fish maw Fishery and Local Ecological Knowledge of locally Threatened Dolphin Species.

This report shares the findings of a study aimed at providing information to fisheries managers on the rate of by-catch and use of different species in the growing ‘fish maw” industry in Papua New Guinea’s Kikori Delta.

Assessment tool addresses implementation challenges of ecosystem-based management principles in marine spatial planning processes

Ecosystem-based marine spatial planning is an approach to managing maritime activities while ensuring human well-being and biodiversity conservation as key pillars for sustainable development.

Barriers to volunteering and other challenges facing community-based conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand

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BEST AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY (BAT) AND BEST ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE (BEP) FOR MITIGATING THREE NOISE SOURCES: SHIPPING, SEISMIC AIRGUN SURVEYS, AND PILE DRIVING

At least 150 marine species have shown impacts from ocean noise pollution, but it has been difficult to specify the exact scenarios where ecosystem and population consequences from underwater noise will occur. Therefore, managing this threat requires a precautionary approach.

Best Practice in Delivering the 30x30 Target

This guidance document identifies the best options for successful delivery of draft Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). There is good evidence that this will radically increase the success of biodiversity conservation.

BEYOND CARBON CREDITS: DEMYSTIFYING NON-CARBON MARKET APPROACHES FOR BLUE CARBON ECOSYSTEMS Deep-Dive Report for Practitioners and Policymakers

The conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of blue carbon ecosystems are critical to addressing the intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Biodiversity and biogeography of zooxanthellate soft corals across the Indo-Pacific

Documentation of biodiversity and its geographical distribution is necessary to understand the processes and drivers of evolutionary diversification as well as to guide conservation and management initiatives.

Biodiversity and Protected Areas

Protected areas are key to biodiversity conservation. While the value of protected areas is generally undisputed, challenges remain.

Biodiversity needs every tool in the box: use OECMs

Global support is growing for the 30 × 30 movement — a goal to conserve 30% of the planet by 2030. In May, the G7 group of wealthy nations endorsed the commitment to this target that had been made by more than 50 countries in January.

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BioTIME is designed especially for scientific synthesis studies with research questions about global biodiversity. We believe that data is valuable and should be made usable.

Birds and bats reduce herbivory damage in Papua New Guinean highland forests

Insectivorous predators, including birds and bats, play crucial roles in trophic cascades.

Blue Carbon Finance Toolbox First edition: June 2025

The     Blue     Carbon     Finance     Toolbox     provides     a     comprehensive  overview  of  financial  mechanisms  and  strategies  to  support  the  conservation, &nbsp

Capacity Development for Protected and Other Conserved Areas in the Pacific Islands Region

This document is an important tool for promoting action. It highlights the importance of culturally‐responsive capacity development, with Pacific Islanders defining the most appropriate approaches to be used.

Capacity for Conservation

Capacity for Conservation relates to organisational ability to deliver effective protected area management.  Operated by several conservation organisations, Capacity for Conservation believes that building strong conservation organisations is one of the most effective means of making a lasti

Catchment Management and Restoration Plan for Rarotonga Cloud Forest Ecosystems, Cook Islands

This document provides a plan to protect and enhance the cloud forests of Rarotonga so that their indigenous ecosystems, habitats for endemic species, and water supply functions are preserved in perpetuity.