Oceania’s humpback whales are of global conservation concern having recently been re‐
classified from “Threatened” to “Endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation
of Nature (IUCN). Although humpback whales in many parts of the world are showing
encouraging signs of recovery from past exploitation, the small breeding populations in the
South Pacific Islands region remain vulnerable to extinction.
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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.
This report provides a review of the current state of knowledge of cetacean diversity, habitat and threats in the Pacific Islands Region.
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.
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).
To date, there is no defined list of priority migratory species of concern (indicator species) at the regional level for the Pacific islands to direct efforts. The Regional Marine Species Action Plans (under revision; see below) and the regional CMS Memorandum of Understanding (2006) for cetaceans can be considered as part of regional level prioritisation. For birds, Bird Life’s Data zone includes a list of migratory species for each country in the region.
Globally and locally, conservationists and scientists work to inform policy makers to help recovery of endangered sea turtle populations. In Fiji, in the South Pacific, sea turtles are protected by the national legislation because of their conservation status, and are also a customary iTaukei resource. Centered on our interview based study at Qoma and Denimanu villages, parallel management systems coexist, where both the (written) national legislation and the (unwritten) customary iTaukei rules determine the time and the quantity of sea turtle harvest.
This document reviews actions taken by intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), including regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and other relevant regional fishery bodies (RFBs), to address problematic sea turtle and seabird interactions in marine capture fisheries. Sea turtles and seabirds are subject to a number of natural and anthropogenic mortality sources, including fishing operations. As a result, all sea turtle species of known status are recognized as being endangered.
Pattern of genetic structure in highly mobile marine vertebrates may be accomplished by genotypic variation. Most studies in marine turtles focused on population genetic structure have been performed at rookeries.
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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.
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This report reflects the key outcomes of the 25th PIRT Annual Meeting and is provided for the information of PIRT Members and Working groups, as well as other interested organisations, partners and stakeholders.
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This report reflects the key outcomes of the 26th PIRT Annual Meeting and is provided for the information of PIRT Members and Working Groups, as well as other interested organisations, partners, and stakeholders.
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Pacific Island countries have identified many critical issues and national priorities to protect biodiversity, communities and ecosystem in our region. In response, the Pacific Biodiversity and Sustainable Land-SeaScapes (Pacific BioScapes) Programme has the overall aim to better managing our coastal and marine resource and adapting to climate change through ecosystem-based responses.
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The Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change Plus/Phase 2 (PEBACC+) Project seeks to
strengthen the resilience of ecosystems, economies, and communities to the impacts of climate change in Fiji, New Caledonia, Wallis-and-Futuna, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The factsheet provides an overview of how the project will develop, sustain, and institutionalise ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change in these five countries and territories.
Environmental data is important to the Pacific region. There is a need for historical and current evidence of the status and trends of various environmental resources and drivers of environmental change.
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This factsheet connects People, Places and Knowledge and provides a doorway through which Pacific Islands protected area practitioners can share expertise and benefit from opportunities in this region.
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This strategy provide board strategic guidance for nature conservation planning, prioritisation, and implementation in our region.
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The PNG Conservation and Environment Protection Authority will be assisted to raise awareness of the threats to sea turtle species in Papua New Guinea through a major turtle protection public awareness campaign in districts where illegal or excessive turtle take is occurring.
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The Pacific BioScapes Programme is supporting capacity in the Pacific to determine that the presence and population of key seabird biodiversity is enhanced as envisaged in the draft Regional Seabird Action Plan 2022-2026.
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Known as Koroliko in Vanuatu, wedge-tailed shearwaters are a common seabird that forages over wide areas of the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately seabirds such as these are known to ingest plastics.
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