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).
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.
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.
Low islands in the Pacific Ocean that are far from continets started as underwater vocanoes. The lava from the volcano rose above the ocean surface became an island with high hills or mountains.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
ISBN/ISSN: 978-982-9123-89-3
Physical Description: 42 p.
This factsheet was published by SPREP to provide small facts on its work in the reagion to provide technical support and advise to its members on the on-going works towards saving our Pacific Oceans etc.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 4 p.
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.
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.