July 23, 2021
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The Tongan government has approved the Tonga Ocean Management Plan, a milestone in the work to ensure sustainable management of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
June 11, 2021
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Tonga’s Marine Atlas was launched to commemorate World Ocean’s Day under the theme ‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods” (Ko e Oseni- hono ngaahi me’a mo’ui pea koe ma’u’anga mo’ui) by the Minister for Environment (MEIDECC), Hon Poasi Tei, on June 8 in Nuku'alofa...The event also formally recognized
April 1, 2021
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Tongan officials expect to take the country’s Ocean Plan to cabinet this year after the initial plan was postponed. Having had nation-wide consultations in 2018 and 2019, the Tonga Ocean 7 team had hoped to finalise the plan in 2020.
Effects of whale-based tourism in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga: Behavioural responses of humpback whales to vessel and swimming tourism activities
Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga, is a well-established whale-watching destination in the South Pacific. Between July and October, the waters around the archipelago represent one of the most important breeding grounds for Oceania humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The Tongan government allows tourist swimming activities with whales and tour operators strongly promote the practice of swimming-with-whales, focusing primarily on mother-calf pairs.
January 29, 2021
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An important mangrove area at the mouth of Tongatapu’s Fanga'uta Lagoon that was destroyed in 2017 to make way for a golf course project in Popua, is slowly being restored by the Department of Environment.
November 4, 2020
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Tongans are seeking answers from the government over its plans for seabed mining in the country's waters. A national consultation on seabed mining in Tonga was held by video link-up yesterday, including representatives from the five island groups.
October 23, 2020
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Tongatapu 5 Youth Council want to tackle water and coastal issues to ensure a better future for Hihifo communities, after electing a working committee last week.
October 9, 2020
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The ‘Tonga State of Environment Report 2018’ highlights that collaborations between the Ministry of Fisheries and coastal communities in the implementation of Special Management Areas have contributed to the protection of marine species, and helped ensure that local communities maintain their abi
September 17, 2020
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The Cook Islands, Niue, Solomon Islands, and Tonga have approved their national State of the Environment (SoE) reports, whilst in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change has pre-approved the country’s report.
August 27, 2020
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The previous blog in this series looked at how much Pacific governments were spending in response to COVID-19.