News

Mangrove and seagrass habitats provide a range of ecosystem services for fisheries as nursery sites that support spawning and recruitment (Unsworth et al. 2014; Nagelkerken et al. 2008).

The Pacific region is extremely vulnerable to environmental and societal challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and food security concerns. Its geographic location isolates it from the rest of the world, and thus compounds and makes it difficult to address these challenges.

After a seven-year battle using a combination of poisoning, trapping and shooting, the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust successfully eradicated an initial population of around 6000 mynahs from Ātiu, making it the world’s largest island-based mynah eradication project.

The presence of Asian bees in the Western Province has raised fears for a local Beekeeper like Betti Lingisasa.  The arrival of the Asian giant hornet, also known as the ‘murder hornet,’ has been a devastating blow to Simbo Island’s long-standing honey production.

New Zealand will give $1.7 million to Palau to strengthen its marine resources, and will cooperate more closely with the country’s ocean management.

Cook Islands is hosting a regional meeting this week to address the significant threat of invasive species to the country’s ecosystems, food security and biodiversity, while sharing knowledge and seeking solutions with other Pacific nations.

Over 70 invasive species professionals and practitioners from across the Pacific region have converged in Rarotonga as part of the Pacific Invasive Learning Network (PILN) sixth meeting hosted by the Government of Cook Islands 12-16 August.

The effective use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) helps drive informed decision making for sound environmental management through data analysis, mapping and enhanced research skills and innovation.

The Tu’anga Taporoporo National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) that was endorsed in 2002 has many gaps, is out of date and has not been reviewed or updated for 22 years.

In Kiribati, the official endorsement of community-based fisheries management (CBFM) plans has faced significant challenges during the programme’s inception in 2014.