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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Physical Description: 20 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.
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Physical Description: 12 p.
Pacific Island Countries and Territories are facing rapidly changing ocean and coastal conditions due to climate change, and are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise (SLR). As elsewhere in the world, Pacific coastal cities concentrate population and valuable assets including well over the 50% of the region's built infrastructure.
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Physical Description: 33 pp.
The Pacific BioScapes is supporting local community monitoring of coastal ecosystem resilience on the islands of Maninita, Taula, Fangasito, Fonua'one'one, Mu'omu'a and Fua'amotu in the Vava'u group. This aims to assess the benefits for biodiversity that occur following the eradication of invasive species
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Physical Description: 1 p.
The marine turtle states review for Solomon Islands 2022 was commissioned to inform the development of the country's 5-year National plan of Action (NPOA) - Marine Turtles 2022-2026.
This status review is a compilation of the most recent literature and statistics on the status of sea turtles in the Pacific Ocean region, providing a clearer understanding of the risks to sea turtles and their habitats. It presents a summary of the relevant (published) literature and knowledge about sea turtle reproductive biology, movements, and connectivity, and presents these alongside relevant threats that, in combination, are pertinent to understanding the status of sea turtle populations in the Pacific Ocean.
Physical Description: 61 p.