The Maritime Zones Act (MZA) 2018 for Cooks Islands repeals the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977, (Act No. 16 of 14 November 1977). It states that the exclusive economic zone comprises of those areas of the sea, seabed, and subsoil that are beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea having, as their outer limits, a line measured seaward from the territorial sea baseline, every point of which is distant 200 nautical miles from the nearest point of the baseline.
A team from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research travelled to Rarotonga during July/August 2023 to carry out monitoring of biocontrols released in previous years. The team used drones to conduct monitoring surveillance for the invasive African Tulip tree species, using LiDAR and other imagery techniques.
This newsletter also provides an update on the control of the biocontrols.
Number of permits and consents approved from Jan - Mar 2018
Medicinal Use of Plants Cook Islands 2016 or older
The Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture seeks approval for the release of the plan pathogen Puccinia xanthii Schw. (Pucciniales: Pucciniaceae) into Rarotonga for biological control (biocontrol) of the introduced plant cockleburr Xanthium pungens Wallr. (syn. Xanthium strumarium; Xanthium occidentale Bertol.) (Asterales: Asteraceae).
Online only
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 21p. ; 29cm.
The Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture seeks approval for the release of a gall-forming wasp Tetramesa romana and an armoured scale insect Rhizaspidiotus donacis into Rarotonga for biological control (biocontrol) of the introduced plant giant reed Arundo donax (Poales: Poaceae).
Online only
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 22p. ; 29cm.
The Government of the Cook Islands requested assistance from the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, to conduct a survey of invasive
plant species of environmental concern, similar to surveys previously conducted in Micronesia, American Samoa, Nine, Samoa and Tonga. The survey was carried out from 11 March through
The Key Biodiversity Areas and Important Bird Areas (KBA's
& IBA's) approach is a simple, effective means of
implementing the protected areas elements of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). KBAs and IBAs are places of
international importance for the conservation of biological diversity through protected areas and other governance mechanisms.
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 38 p
Stakeholder consultations were the most important aspect of achieving the marae moana legislation.
Available online|Powerpoint presentation
Call Number: [EL]
Environment related legislation review
Available online
Call Number: [EL]
Physical Description: 20 p. ; 29 cm
Participatory three dimensional model (P3DM) is a community engagement tool which integrates spatial data with local "traditional knowledge". This tool is widely used for spatial planning, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and many more.
Available online
Call Number: 005.3 PAR [EL]
ISBN/ISSN: 978-982-04-0678-0,978-982-04-0679-7
Physical Description: 31 p. 29 cm
To accommodate for nesting activity in the future, a human impact assessment of suitable beaches is advised to determine if human habitat alterations have influenced nest-site selection or micro-environments within nest chamber.
Available online
Call Number: [EL],597.92 962 3 COO
ISBN/ISSN: 978-982-04-0676-6,978-982-04-0677-3
Physical Description: 27 p. 29 cm
The 2018 SOE is a new baseline for future reports and can help the Cook Islands with national regional and international reporting obligations including multi-lateral environmental agreements.
Available online
Call Number: 333.7209623 COO, [EL]
ISBN/ISSN: 978-982-04-0666-7,978-982-04-0667-4
Physical Description: 200 p.
The Cook Islands signed the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth
Summit in 1992. As a Party to the Convention, the Cook Islands Government
committed itself and its people to conserve its biodiversity, to use it in a sustainable manner, and to share its benefits in an equitable manner. It also committed itself to control invasive species (the weeds and pest animals in natural ecosystems and agricultural systems), and to reduce the likelihood of future invasions.
Call Number: 333.95 MCC [EL],BIO,333.95 COO