The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Maritime New Zealand
(MNZ) were engaged to assist the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) with an oil spill
environmental risk assessment. The project team visited Fijis major ports and transfer terminals. The
aim of this exercise was to provide recommendations to support Fijis commitment to improve oil spill
prevention and response.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
ISBN/ISSN: 978-982-04-0540-0,978-982-04-0541-7
In mist of the COVID-19 pandemic, less fishing boats have been seen on the ocean. This enforces break in fishing, pressure will clearly benefit the snapper population as it is the most popular table fish for both commercial and amateur fishers for northern North Island in New Zealand. Much have been said about the potential benefits for wildlife from the COVID-19 global epidemic; some of the endangered species have come out of hiding and are seen in some cities in countries that on the lockdown eg.
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
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.
The main purpose of SEM-Pasifika is to improve site management of the coastal and marine areas in the Pacific region. It should guide interested communities in the region (including communities who have used existing methods and new communities without experiences in socio-economic assessment), management and project staff, researchers, and other practitioners, to understand important steps involved in a socioeconomic assessment and to be able to conduct the monitoring.
One of the greatest challanges we face in protecting our islands biodiversity is how to balance the needs of the people that use it, and the future of the environment. There are many reasons why the Pacific islands way of life is endangered, it is
necessary to address these threats, all of them. Understand ing their causes will help to stop them, if it is possible or to change or adapt our way of life. It is necessary to focus on long term sustainability strategies, but in the mean time develop and carry out short term projects to address the immediate needs of our islands.