Petitioner Defenders of Wildlife (Defenders) is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members, supporters, and activists, Defenders is a leading advocate for the protection of threatened and endangered species. Defenders 2013-2023 Strategic Plan identifies sharks and other elasmobranchs as one of several categories of key species whose conservation is a priority for our organizations work
Online only
Call Number: [EL]
The Pacific Islands region that is served by SPREP covers 32 million km2 and is in
the middle of the largest continuous marine habitat on the planet, the Pacific Ocean.
This region is home to a diverse range of large marine animals, including cetaceans,
sirenians and marine turtles. Over half of the world’s known species of cetaceans are
found in the region. The area also supports the world’s largest remaining populations
of dugongs, and green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles.
Available online
This 5th National Report for the Republic of the Marshall Islands provides an update on the biodiversity status and trends, as well as progress towards the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 including the Aichi Biodiversity Target 2020.
Members of the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium met at the University of Auckland from 8-12 February, 2009 to discuss (i) the results of fieldwork and analysis conducted during 2008 and, (ii) conservation initiatives in the region. As with previous synoptic surveys dating back to the austral winter of 1999, surveys of humpback whales were conducted to collect genetic samples, individual identification photographs and song recordings in the four primary regions: New Caledonia, Tonga (Vavau), Cook Islands and French Polynesia (Moorea).
Sustainable development Goal 14 of the United Nations aims to "conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development". Achieving this goal will require rebuilding the marine life-support system that deliver the many benefits that society receives from a healthy ocean. Here we document the recovery of marine population, habitats and ecosystems following past conservation interventions. Mitigating the major pressures like climate change could help in achieving structure and functional marine life by 2050.
Regional cooperation and responses are common across the PICTs. SPREP already has in place regional action plans for marine turtles, dugongs, and whales and dolphins. In addition, the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), comprising 17 Pacific States, has a proven track record in cooperation on fisheries management issues including the longstanding Nauru Agreement and the current development of a regional monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) strategy.
In 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reviewed the conservation status of cetacean populations worldwide. As a consequence of this review, the Oceania population of humpback whales has been re-classified from Threatened to Endangered. This is in recognition that, although humpback whales in many parts of the world are showing encouraging signs of recovery from whaling, most of the small breeding populations in the South Pacific remain at extremely low levels and some remain vulnerable to extinction.
Low islands in the Pacific Ocean that are far from continets started as underwater vocanoes. The lava from the volcano rose above the ocean surface became an island with high hills or mountains.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
ISBN/ISSN: 978-982-9123-89-3
Physical Description: 42 p.
This factsheet was published by SPREP to provide small facts on its work in the reagion to provide technical support and advise to its members on the on-going works towards saving our Pacific Oceans etc.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 4 p.
Many species of sharks are threatened with extinction, and there has been a longstanding debate in scientific and environmental circles over the most effective and appropriate strategy to conserve and protect them.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 12 p.
Finding help to get the ACMP registered as Solomon Islands first national park in May.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 11 p.
Seabirds of the Pacific Islands; 42 species of seabird known or suspected to breed throughout the tropical Pacific islands. 10 are considered endemic. 11 globally threatened (CR, EN, VU) and one near threatened species.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 12 p.
To see all species of manta rays and their relatives protected or effectively managed for sustainable/non consumptive use by the people closest to them, in a means that promotes wider ocean conservation.
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 11 p.
Threats to sharks and rays, major threat to sharks and rays globally in unregulated fishing (including legal as well as illegal fishing). Habitat loss and modification - impacts coastal and freshwater species (barriers to migration)
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 11 p.
The Pacific islands have an extremely rich maritime heritage. The islands themselves were first populated by what are arguably the greatest mariners in human history. In pie-European times the Pacific islandersnavigated wooden canoes held together with coconut fibre across thousands of miles of open ocean, with
nothing but the stars and their intimate knowledge of the sea to aid navigation. Today, this seafaring tradition is continued, with several island countries, such as Kiribati and Tuvalu, being suppliers of seamento the regional and global shipping fleet.
This report provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of cetacean diversity, habitat and threats in the Pacifi c Islands Region.
Cheloniid turtles are characterised by a complicated life history: their eggs are laid on warm beaches; hatchling sex is determined temperature dependent sex determination during
embryonic development; lack of parental care; hatchlings are imprinted to the natal area; hatchlings disperse to feed on plankton in the pelagic environments followed by inshore
recruitment to feed on benthic organisms; immature turtles have slow growth and delayed maturation; adults migrate to breed in their respective natal area; they lay multiple clutches in
The Pacific Islands region is important for a great number of cetaceans (whales and dolphins), whether as a permanent habitat, a breeding ground or a migration corridor. Currently, more
than thirty species of whales and dolphins have been identified in this area.
The presence and diversity of cetaceans in our region has led to the development of whale watching, both on a commercial and recreational basis. Whale watching is defined as viewing
Fishers have changed their methods from wading in the shallows to the use of sail and paddle canoes, and dinghies with outboard motors. This has resulted in greater coverage of the area where sea cucumbers live, more regular fishing, access to remote areas and the capacity to transport greater catches. Loss of much larger numbers of sea cucumbers from many areas as a result of this increased fishing pressure reduces the chances of adults remaining at densities high enough for effective reproduction.
The Department of the Navy (DoN) is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission. The United States (U.S.) Navy (Navy) is responsible for