The Regional Seas Programme was initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1974 in response to the selection of the oceans as a priority area by the UNEP Governing Council. It is a global programme implemented through regional
components under the guidance of the Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Centre at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi.
Each regional action plan is formulated by the Governments concerned to respond to the needs of the region for a comprehensive approach to controlling both the consequences
The paramount policy objective of the Niuean Government is to work for the maintenance of a 'living community'. The promotion of economic development in Niue is essential to the maintenance of a living community because it provides a sense of purpose which can no longer be derived from traditional subsistence activities, or even from Public Service employment, unless there is a wider community to serve. This sense of purpose becomes
The Republic of Nauru is a single raised limestone island or makatea with a total area of only 22 km2 (Figure 1), but with jurisdiction over 320,000 km2 of ocean surrounding the island under the United Nations Law of the Sea convention. The island consists mainly of a flat plateau that descends to a narrow coastal fringe where most of the population dwell. The plateau interior contains extensive deposits of phosphate bearing rock which have been mined since the beginning of the twentieth century.
Until recently, pollution of the environment was considered a
serious problem only in the highly industralised and heavily
populated areas of the world. However, with the steady
increase in population, urban migration and an increase in
industrial development, the need to reduce pollution of the
air, water resources (both fresh and estuarine) and in some
cases of land in developing countries is becoming quite
critical. This, is particularly important in the South Pacific
in view of the geographical isolation and the ecological
The paramount policy objective of the Niuean Government is to work for the maintenance of a "living community" in Niue. This
resulted in the publication, in 1987, of the Niue Concerted Action Plan (NCAP) 1988-1990. This document continued to serve as the planning document until June '1991, due to Cyclone Of a in 1990, and it has been quoted extensively in this report.
The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) contracted
with SPREP's Climate Change Programme to act as an independent
regional consultant to determine likely environmental impacts of locating and operating an Atmospheric Radiation and Cloud Station (ARCS) in the Republic of Nauru. In particular, ARM is concerned with the appropriate improvement of the seawall at the proposed ARCS site.
Call Number: 333.7109685 ONO [EL],VF 0783
ISBN/ISSN: 982-04-0175-5
The Strategy and Work Programme states that there is little information available on the level of shipping activities operating through, into, and within the region, and on the types of cargoes involved. Accordingly, the document proposes that a study of shipping activities in the region be carried out. Recent information suggests that the study may be funded through SPKEP in the foreseeable future.
6 copies
Call Number: 363.1236 PRE,341.762,[EL]
ISBN/ISSN: 982-04-0156-9
The report suggests that bodies such as the World Conservation Union, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Asian Development Bank, the Global Environment Facility and some of the relevant non-government organisations operating In the Pacific region have roles, or further roles, to play in delivering environmental law services in the Pacific region. The
coordinating role of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme in the provision of these services is seen as crucial, in terms of consistency and cost-effectiveness. Specific actions
The American Samoa Government (ASG) is now in receipt of the
Economic Development Plan 1979-1984 (EDP). It anticipates receipt in the
near future of a companion document, the Quality of Life Plan (QLP). The
recently complied Coastal Zone Management^. (CZMP) has been authorized
by the ASG with effect from 1 September 1980 but has yet to receive
(tne anticipated) Federal endorsement. The EDP and the QLP together form
the comprehensive Development Plan for American Samoa, while the CZMP is a
The fifteen Cook Islands are distinguished by being vastly separated from
each other and varying greatly in terms of their population numbers and
resource endowments. The necessity therefore arises in this Country Report
to make a distinction, geographically, between environmental concerns on
the larger, more densely and more technologically developed Rarotonga;
the other southern Cook high islands with their mixed volcanic and limestone
soils, balanced populations and reasonably harmonious development? and
French Polynesia comprises approximately 130 islands,
including one hundred of which are atolls and thirty high islands
somewhat larger.
Kept in the Vertical File|Available online
Call Number: VF 1172 [EL],VF 1268
Physical Description: 12 p. ; 29 cm
The Government of Kiribati in th eNational Development Plan 1979-82 statedthat it would introduce measures "to protect the environment from pollution and irresponsible commercial depredation".
Kept in the Vertical File|Available online
Call Number: VF 1174 [EL]
Physical Description: 12 Pages
The Niue Government is in receipt of its first National Development
Plan (NNDP 1980-1985) which contains chapters on social development
(4 1Macroplan') and social services (Chapters 19 to 23); comprehen-
sive physical or regional plans for land and coastal resource use
are hampered mainly due to the existing tenure system.
The major resource utilisation activities are agriculture and
inshore fishing. There is no physical plan co-ordinating these
activities. Government priorities in the Development Plan are
The Government of Papua New Guinea passed an environment and
conservation policy statement in September 1975, following the
adoption of an explicit reference to environmental matters in
the Five National Goals and Directive Principles of the
Constitution.
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Call Number: VF 1177 [EL] VF 1297
Physical Description: 33 p. ; 29 cm
Tokelau has not commited itself to any international environmental convention or treaties as the New Zealand Government acts and safeguards the rights of Tokelau's political development, New Zealand declared Tokelau's Exclusive Economic Zone on April 1, 1980, which then, introduces Tokelau to international laws.
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Call Number: VF 1179 [EL]
Physical Description: 5 Pages
The last remaining Kingdom in the South Pacific, Tonga has a total land
area of 674 square kilometers spread over a sea area of approximately
259,360 square kilometers. There are 3 major island groups with a total of
171 islands, 37 of them occupied. Three of 37 carry the bulk of the kingdoms
population which is approximately 92,000. Tonga lies between latitudes 15°
and 23°30' degrees south and longitudes 173° and 177° decrees west.
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Call Number: VF 1180 [EL] VF 1301
Policy to protect Vanuatu and to safeguard the national wealth,
resources and environment in the interests of the present
generation and of future generations".
Kept in the Vertical File
Available online
Call Number: VF 1181 [EL]
Physical Description: [various paging]
The Western Samoan Government (WSG) has approved
and now awaits printing of the Fourth Five Year Plan 1980-84.
The Plan, for the first timer contains a chapter (14) specifically
on the environment, "Environmental Planning for Development", which
tends to be more descriptive of problems than prescriptive of
action to be taken on environmental issues. The WSG is possibly
the sole island signatory to the draft "Convention for the
Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific 1976" for which
A generalized policy of consideration of environmental
factors in resource development exists, but has not been
clearly expressed nor effectively enforced.
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Call Number: VF 1183 [EL]
Physical Description: 8 Pages
Tuvalu consists of nine coral islands, rarely reaching more than 4
metres in highest elevation, with a total land area of 2,511 hectares.
Funafuti, Nanumea, Nui, Nukufetau and Nukulaelae are atolls, generally with
narrow strips of land on the east and reef with scattered islets on the
west. Nanumanga, Niulakita and Niutao are reef islands consisting of
single islets with brackish internal lakes. Vaitupu is intermediate in
type, with a large but virtually land-locked central lagoon.
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