The purpose in producing the SOCO is not just to understand the current status of conservation in the region but to establish a process for periodic reviews of the status of biodiversity and implementation of conservation measures in the Pacific islands region.
This BIORAP (Biological Rapid Assessment Program) survey was undertaken as part of the process to facilitate improved management of the forests and biodiversity of Upland Savaii. More specifically, the survey was conducted to fill key gaps in the knowledge of this globally important put poorly studied region of montane and cloud forests. This information will be used to make better informed decisions on the conservation management of the biodiversity in the area in conjunction with Savaii land-owning communities, relevant government departments and other partners.
The combined pressures of climate change and development will not only aggravate existing challenges to the conservation of biodiversity in the Pacific, but also introduce new difficulties. There are a wide range of historical, current and planned studies that examine specific aspects of the relationship between climate change, conservation and development in the Pacific.
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.
Shark and ray numbers are declining globally, and a quarter of all species are believed to be threatened with extinction.
Available online
Call Number: [EL],363.94 SIM
Physical Description: 64 p
This report provides a review of the current state of knowledge of cetacean diversity, habitat and threats in the Pacific Islands Region.
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.
Online only|References from 38-43
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
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).
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.
The SPREP Strategic Plan 2017–2026 builds on the successes and lessons learned in the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2011–2015. SPREP has used these lessons together with
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.
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.
Pacific islands are hotspots of unique biodiversity. Our ancestral traditions are linked
to nature. However, these traditions, the natural environment, and biodiversity are
threatened by changing global and regional environmental pressures, ecological
degradation, growing human populations, changing demands of our societies, and the
impacts of climate change and sea level rise.
Call Number: [EL],333.720961 STA
ISBN/ISSN: 978-982-04-0905-7,978-982-04-0906-4
Physical Description: 156 p. 29 cm.
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.
The purpose of this work was to consult with Pacific islands countries and territories to determine progress on implementation of the 2013-2017 action plans. Identify issues and challenges with implementing the plans. Obtain feedback about the plans in general. And the objective is to develop a series of Marine species action plans for 2022-2026
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 11 p.
The status of the region’s forests was deemed Fair to Good, with the majority of Pacific islands still having relatively high for est cover, higher than the global average. The area of unlogged primary forest varies across the region, with large areas in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and countries like Cook Islands and Kiribati having no primary forest left
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 4 p.