In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Tonga police see crime growing more regional and digital
2. UN — Triple climate threats affect nearly half the world’s children
3. AUST/VAN — ‘Pressure, not partnership’: Australia excludes Vanuatu from PEV ballot
4. FIJI — Fiji Medical Association warns Public Health Bill must retain medical oversight
5. VAN — Vanuatu launches global scientific assessment of deep-sea ecosystems
6. FIJI — Traditional leaders urge village-level fight against Fiji’s drug crisis
7. PACIFIC — Diversity helps forge bonds in the Pacific
8. FIJI — Coups cannot be justified: Former Fiji Journalist Nata
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Fuel prices expected to fall from August, says Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Dark fleets’ brought to light by world-first ocean map
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Patrol vessel to boost maritime security in New Caledonia
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — UNEP and GEF kick off global initiative to strengthen monitoring of toxic chemicals and mercury
13. PACNEWS DIGEST — Niue advances national research ethics framework – University of Auckland
14. PACNEWS DIGEST — Refreshed website launched in the lead up to the 11th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation
PAC – SECURITY: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 3: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Tonga police see crime growing more regional and digital
SUVA,19 JUNE 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Tonga’s criminal threat landscape has changed fast, and Acting Chief Superintendent Selosia Fatukala-Satini says the shift is forcing police to rethink how they work.
Speaking with the steady, unsentimental authority of a frontline investigator, during the Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue in Fiji, the Commander for National Crime and Investigation said the old model of crime as a local problem no longer fits.
“There is no longer pure domestic,” he said.
“It’s now coordinated across the countries.”
In Tonga, that means transnational networks moving drugs, moving money, moving forged documents and moving through the gaps created by geography, limited capacity and digital speed.
His warning was blunt, as the biggest change over his career has been the rise of crime that is organised, adaptive and hard to trace.
Criminal groups are using “digital crime because it’s faster, global, and hard to trace,” he said, while also exploiting maritime routes and using legitimate business as cover.
“The result is a broader and more dangerous mix: cyber-enabled offending, cybercrime, financial investment scams, unauthorised foreign exchange dealing, money laundering, counterfeit passports and drug trafficking by sea.”
For Tonga, the maritime dimension is especially acute.
Fatukala-Satini described “the vast ocean territory and dispersed island geography” as a structural vulnerability that criminal networks can exploit.
Drugs, he said, moved through the Pacific Islands, including Tonga, and when they did, the damage does not stop at trafficking.
“Where a country becomes a potential consumption market, the drug use increases in the local population, bringing more addiction, violence, theft and related crimes.”
“That change in crime type has exposed a change in policing needs. The challenge is no longer only about arrests and seizures; it is about specialist capability.
“Tonga Police must contend with digital forensics, forensic accounting, device analysis, and financial tracing, all while trying to keep pace with offenders already operating across borders.”
“The complexity of modern crime has outpaced the capacity of individual countries,” he said.
His answer is regional and practical, and he has called for the integration of regional intelligence, stronger maritime security, harmonised legal frameworks, and faster mutual legal assistance.
Fatukala-Satini also made the case for targeting the profits, not just the perpetrators.
“If we can move the profits, we weaken the networks,” he said.
That logic runs through his wider view of policing in the Pacific: no country can do this alone.
The way forward, he argued, is a coordinated regional model built on intelligence, capability sharing and sustained partnerships with customs, immigration, central banks, Australia, New Zealand, Interpol and Pacific policing networks.
“The fight against modern crime is no longer a matter of isolated national response. It is a contest of systems, and the region must learn to move as one,” he said…. PACNEWS
UN – CLIMATE CHANGE: UN NEWS CENTRE PACNEWS 3: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Triple climate threats affect nearly half the world’s children
GENEVA, 19 JUNE 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) — Drought, extreme heat and heatwaves are the most prevalent trio of hazards endangering millions of children globally, warned a newly released climate report by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
About 1.1 billion children now face at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education and survival, according to the Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026.
“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”
For the first time, the report revealed exactly where and how intense, multiple and overlapping climate threats are affecting children and the essential social services they rely on and how governments can take concrete actions to respond.
Almost every child in the world faces at least one climate hazard while more than four million could face as many as six overlapping threats, warned the report, which used the latest available data to map children’s exposure to the eight most frequent climate threats, including coastal floods, droughts, extreme heat, fires, heatwaves, riverine floods and sand, dust and tropical storms.
More than 296 million children are living in areas exposed to all three conditions, according to the findings. The second most common combination – drought, extreme heat and tropical storms – leaves more than 115 million children worldwide exposed to these overlapping threats.
In addition to the eight most frequent climate hazards, the report analysed children’s exposure to air pollution and malaria, which are two risks highly sensitive to the effects of climate change.
Data showed that air pollution affects nearly every child globally, while one billion children are exposed to malaria, adding another layer of danger for children already facing multiple climate hazards.
Without urgent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate hazards will grow more frequent and severe, placing even greater strain on government budgets and systems while threatening children’s wellbeing, the report warned.
One of the hardest hit regions is the Sahel in Africa, where more than four million children face the triple threat of heatwaves, extreme heat and sand and dust storms.
Meanwhile children in countries across Asia, including Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan, are exposed to more climate hazards at once and at a higher intensity than anywhere else in the world.
High-income countries are not immune. In Italy, more than six million children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought, the data showed. Yet, the country illustrated how investment in climate change adaptation can mitigate some of the risks children face while highlighting the need for further action as the climate crisis intensifies.
To protect children’s rights from climate threats and adapt to growing environmental changes, UNICEF is calling on governments, businesses and relevant actors to:
*Reduce emissions and take ambitious action to fulfil existing international commitments, grounded in the best available science.
*Protect children through inclusive climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and responses to loss and damage that prioritise the resilience of social services, ensuring that children and child-critical services are included in national adaptation plans and sector strategies, disaster risk governance, preparedness and response plans.
*Empower children and young people to meaningfully participate in climate action by investing in climate education, knowledge and skills, and by strengthening the capacity of decision makers and experts to respect children’s rights to be heard, freedom of expression and participation in decisions that affect their lives.
“This analysis can help governments and decision makers plan better and invest more effectively in resilient services,” UNICEF’s chief said.
“When we strengthen health and education systems and improve infrastructure with children in mind, we protect them from today’s climate threats and help secure their future,” he said…. PACNEWS
AUST/VAN – PEV BALLOT: RNZ PACIFIC PACNEWS 3: Fri 19 Jun 2026
‘Pressure, not partnership’: Australia excludes Vanuatu from PEV ballot
CANBERRA/PORT VILA, 19 JUNE 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) — The registration for Australia’s “incredibly popular’ Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) ballot will open for applications on 01 July, the Australian Department of Home Affairs announced on Wednesday.
However, Vanuatu, which has been part of the ballot for the past two years, has been left off the list of eligible countries for the 2026-2027 ballot.
The PEV offers permanent residence in Australia for up to 3000 Pacific Islanders from a set of 11 countries, which includes Timor-Leste.
It comes as Australia struggles to get Vanuatu to sign the Nakamal Agreement, which would commit the two countries to a security arrangement for ten years, with Vanuatu receiving AUD$500 million (US$350 million).
The country is simultaneously negotiating a similar agreement with China, and left Australia empty-handed when they visited Port Vila for negotiations in December.
Vanuatu government advisor Glen Craig said the timing between the Nakamal debacle and the two-yearly visa rounds is hard to ignore.
“Vanuatu [is] holding firm on the priorities it has stated plainly from the outset – climate and mobility,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post.
It is difficult to read the removal as anything other than leverage: a signal that access to opportunity for ni-Vanuatu depends on agreement to terms set elsewhere.
Craig said the Pacific region reads this clearly.
“Australia speaks of the ‘Pacific family’. Family does not withdraw a pathway thousands of ordinary people rely on in order to win a concession at the negotiating table.
“That is pressure, not partnership.”
Nauru has also been left off the list, losing 100 places.
Meanwhile, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands have been added, with 100 and 50 places respectively.
The Solomon Islands has its places doubled to 300, off the back of Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s trip to Australia two weeks ago.
The ABC reported on Wednesday that Wale was floating a Pacific-wide security treaty, saying that China should not play a major role in the region’s security.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been approached for comment…. PACNEWS
FIJI – HEALTH BILL: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Fiji Medical Association warns Public Health Bill must retain medical oversight
SUVA, 19 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Fiji Medical Association (FMA) has backed the Government’s efforts to modernise the country’s public health laws but is urging Parliament to strengthen safeguards to ensure medical professionals remain central to key public health decisions under the proposed Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2026.
FMA Acting President Dr Ronal Kumar said the Association supports the Bill’s objective of improving Fiji’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats, but raised concerns that some provisions could weaken medical oversight in critical areas such as quarantine, isolation, treatment and vaccination.
“Public health decisions involving quarantine, isolation, treatment, or vaccination are not purely administrative matters — they require sound clinical judgment and accountability,” Dr Ronal said.
“We want to see a balanced framework where environmental health and medical expertise work hand in hand.”
The Association outlined several concerns with the proposed legislation, warning that the Bill could reduce the role of medical officers while expanding the powers of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) into areas that require clinical expertise.
Among the key issues raised is what the FMA describes as an erosion of medical leadership. The Association said the legislation shifts authority away from medical officers and grants broader powers to EHPs in matters that involve clinical judgment.
The FMA is also seeking stronger safeguards around compulsory public health measures, calling for written reasons, time limits, appeal rights and medical sign-off requirements for coercive orders.
The Association further recommended that the Bill clearly define the qualifications and authority of designated medical practitioners responsible for outbreak response, arguing that ambiguity in medical roles could create uncertainty during public health emergencies.
On governance, the FMA is calling for at least two medical practitioners to be included on the proposed Board of Health through nominations from professional bodies.
It also wants clear operational protocols to distinguish enforcement functions carried out by Environmental Health Practitioners from clinical decision-making responsibilities that should remain under medical professionals.
The Association said enforcement measures should be proportionate, advocating for education and improvement notices before penalties are imposed, particularly for small or rural facilities.
Despite its concerns, the FMA welcomed several aspects of the Bill, including provisions dealing with healthcare waste management, water safety regulation and the formalisation of multidisciplinary outbreak response teams.
Dr Ronal said the Association remains committed to working with the Government to strengthen the legislation while protecting medical accountability and individual rights.
“We share the Government’s vision for a stronger, more responsive public health system,” Dr Ronal added.
“But modernisation must go hand in hand with medical accountability, ethical safeguards, and respect for constitutional rights.”
The Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2026 is currently before Parliament as part of broader efforts to update Fiji’s public health framework and improve preparedness for future health emergencies…. PACNEWS
VAN – DEEP SEA ASSESMENT: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 3: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Vanuatu launches global scientific assessment of deep-sea ecosystems
PORT VILA, 19 JUNE 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Government of Vanuatu has launched a Global Scientific Assessment of Deep-Sea Ecosystems to strengthen scientific knowledge and support informed global decision-making on one of the planet’s largest and least understood environments.
The launch follows the successful conclusion of a three-day international convening held at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, from 10 to 12 June, where scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, international organisations and partners gathered to help shape the future direction of the initiative.
Speaking at the launch, Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans and Maritime Affairs (MFOMA), Samson Vilvil Fare, said the Nairobi convening had provided strong confidence that the initiative is both necessary and achievable.
“Over those three days, scientists and experts from around the world came together to test this idea, challenge assumptions, identify opportunities and assess what is realistically achievable,” said DG Fare.
“We left Nairobi with confidence that this work is important, it is needed, and it can be done.”
The Global Scientific Assessment of Deep-Sea Ecosystems was announced by Vanuatu—led by the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC)—at the conclusion of the Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in December 2025, following the withdrawal of Vanuatu’s proposed resolution on the Active Protection of Deep-Sea Ecosystems.
The initiative seeks to bring together existing scientific knowledge, Indigenous knowledge systems and available evidence relating to deep-sea ecosystems in order to strengthen the science-policy interface and support informed global ocean governance.
DG Fare said the initiative emerged from growing concern that decisions affecting the deep ocean are accelerating while significant scientific knowledge gaps remain.
“The deep ocean plays a critical role in climate regulation, biodiversity conservation and the health of our ocean systems, yet it remains one of the least understood environments on Earth,” he said.
“Before humanity makes decisions that may affect these ecosystems, we believe we have a responsibility to strengthen our understanding of them.”
Participants at the Nairobi convening spent three days discussing the assessment’s methodology, scope, governance arrangements and potential outputs. Discussions explored existing scientific knowledge, major data gaps, approaches to assessing cumulative impacts and pathways for incorporating Indigenous knowledge into the work.
The meeting also agreed on a draft governance structure and identified a pathway for moving the initiative from concept development into implementation.
A key outcome of the convening was the confirmation that the initiative will be undertaken in partnership with the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), a globally respected network of deep-ocean scientists and experts.
“One of the most significant developments since UNEA-7 has been our partnership with DOSI,” said DG Fare.
“Vanuatu can provide political leadership and convening power, but the science must be led by scientists. DOSI brings scientific credibility, global expertise and a network of leading researchers who will help guide this work.”
The Government of Vanuatu also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Indigenous knowledge forms an important pillar of the initiative.
Discussions during the Nairobi convening highlighted the importance of working closely with Indigenous leaders and knowledge holders to ensure these knowledge systems are reflected appropriately and respectfully throughout the assessment process.
Fare said the launch marks the beginning of a new phase for the initiative.
“This is no longer simply a concept or an aspiration. We now have a growing scientific community, a clear pathway forward and a shared commitment to deliver meaningful outputs ahead of UNEA-8. The work ahead remains significant, but Nairobi demonstrated that there are both the expertise and the willingness to undertake it.”
The Government of Vanuatu has called on governments, scientific institutions, philanthropic partners and international organisations to support the initiative as it moves into implementation.
“This initiative is intended to serve the international community,” the MFOMA DG added.
“We invite those who share our belief in the importance of strengthening knowledge and understanding of deep-sea ecosystems to join us in this effort. The expertise exists. The commitment exists. We must now ensure that the partnerships and resources are in place to allow this work to move forward.”
The Vanuatu Government expects the initiative to contribute to international discussions on ocean governance and to provide important scientific inputs ahead of UNEA-8 in 2027…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DRUGS FIGHT: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 3: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Traditional leaders urge village-level fight against Fiji’s drug crisis
SUVA, 19 JUNE 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Fiji’s Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) says the country’s worsening drug problem and the rise in HIV infections are now pressing community-level threats, and that traditional leadership must play a bigger role in the response.
Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, Fiji’s GCC Chairman, said the council made crime and drug-related harm a standing concern since it was reconvened after years of disestablishment.
“It is of great concern right now with the Great Council of Chiefs,” he said, adding that the council had repeatedly raised the issue at meetings.
“Right from the outset there have been great concerns about the level of crime, in particular drug-related crime and the HIV issues that’s playing out at community level now.”
He said chiefs had acknowledged that traditional structures had weakened over time.
“We took our eyes off the ball some time ago,” he said, arguing that globalisation, the COVID-19 pandemic and the drug trade have exposed vulnerabilities in Fiji’s community systems.
Seruvakula said the council believes the response must begin at the village level, working through families, clans and traditional structures rather than relying on government alone.
“The family is the foundation in the fight for what we’re trying to fix here,” he said.
To prepare future leaders, the council has launched a Diploma in Traditional Leadership, which Seruvakula said is intended to equip emerging chiefs with the skills to address modern challenges, including development, leadership, and community change.
He said the chiefs also believe that effective anti-drug efforts depend on cooperation between communities, traditional leaders and the state.
“The government cannot work on its own. It is only then that the doors remain open for other initiatives to come in.”
Seruvakula said the broader goal is to get communities to take ownership of the problem, warning that long-term solutions will only work if they fit Fiji’s existing social and traditional structures…. PACNEWS
PAC – DEFENCE: ADF PACNEWS 3: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Diversity helps forge bonds in the Pacific
MATA’UTU, 19 JUNE 2026 (ADF) — When the Pacific Response Group (PRG) was on the island of Wallis and Futuna last year for Exercise Croix du Sud, the village chief invited them to stay.
The PRG’s Tongan Navy officer spoke the local language and the village chief was impressed.
Commander PRG Lieutenant Colonel Scott Hill said, through the Tongan officer, they were able to create important language, cultural and familial links.
“When you have a military unit with personnel from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, as the PRG does, it is a cultural game-changer going into the Pacific region,” he said.
Australia, France and New Zealand are also PRG members.
The military unit was established in October 2024 following a decision of the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Pacific nations affected by disaster.
Just 11 weeks after its formation, the group was on the ground in Vanuatu following its 7.3-magnitude earthquake.
The PRG recently participated in the French-led Exercise Marara where almost 1000 personnel from 13 nations gathered in French Polynesia to train in disaster response operations including medical evacuations and airdropping supplies.
“When you have a military unit with personnel from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, as the PRG does, it is a cultural game-changer going into the Pacific region.”
Lieutenant Colonel Hill gave a briefing about the PRG to militaries including the United States, France, Japan and Chile, explaining the unit was on 48 hours’ deployment notice.
“The PRG’s area of operations is 33 million square kilometres because we support 18 Pacific Island Forum (PIF) nations, including Tuvalu, Samoa and the Federated States of Micronesia, and only six of those countries have militaries,” Lieutenant Colonel Hill said.
The PRG conducts a damage assessment and advises nations about military support they may require, including health, military engineering or logistics.
“It could be an engineering team from Papua New Guinea, some light landing craft from Australia or a general duties platoon from Tonga,” Lieutenant Colonel Hill said.
“As with all HADR operations, there are two things these countries often seek: time and resources.
“So, if you can get a headquarters or forward planning team together prior to an event, you are already on the front foot.”
And when that forward planning team can forge immediate cultural links, the benefits are considerable.
“When we arrived in Vanuatu, we were able to embed with the local Vanuatu mobile force and those relationships were so much stronger due to our Fijian and Papua New Guinean officers,” Lieutenant Colonel Hill said.
“It’s those cultural connections that are the strength of the PRG,” he said…. PACNEWS
FIJI – TRUTH & RECONCILIATION: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 3: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Coups cannot be justified: Former Fiji Journalist Nata
SUVA, 19 JUNE 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Former journalist Josefa Nata has told Fiji’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) that coups cannot be justified.
Nata, who served 24 years in prison for his role in the events of 2000, said the coup caused significant damage to Fiji’s social fabric, particularly relations between iTaukei and Indo-Fijian communities.
He said the crisis deepened distrust and suspicion between communities, the effects of which continue to be felt today.
“I take full responsibility for my misguided involvement. I had borne the consequences. Forever will I carry the shame,” he said.
“No coup, in my view, can ever be justified.”
Nata expressed remorse for his actions and called on Fijians to embrace truth-telling, accountability, and reconciliation.
Appearing before FTRC Chairperson Joaquim Da Fonseca and Commissioner Rachna Nath, he described the events of 2000 as one of the darkest chapters in Fiji’s modern history.
But Nata maintained he had no role in the planning or execution of the parliamentary takeover of May 19, 2000. Nata said he became involved after hostages had been seized by George Speight and rebels, including members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
“The Court branded me as one of the masterminds of the events of May 19, 2000. This is a dubious honour I readily and unreservedly declined,’’ Nata said.
“That honour belongs elsewhere. I never was involved in any communication, planning, meeting, or execution of the 2000 event.”
However, Nata said a member of the Fijian Association Party (FAP), which formed part of the coalition government led by then-Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, approached him on the eve of the coup.
Members of the FAP had earlier met the Opposition Soqosoqo Ni Vakavulewa Ni Taukei Party and its leader, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, to discuss a protest the following day.
Nata acknowledged travelling to Parliament on the afternoon of 19 May and told the Commission that his involvement began only after he arrived at the parliamentary complex.
During that period, he undertook several responsibilities, including administering the oath of office for Ratu Jope Seniloli as President, responding to media enquiries, and facilitating a briefing for members of the diplomatic corps in Suva.
Nata said his years in prison became a period of reflection and personal transformation, shaping his understanding of accountability, responsibility, and the importance of rebuilding lives after wrongdoing.
Since his release in 2024, he has focused on establishing a community-based rehabilitation initiative aimed at supporting former offenders, street children, and vulnerable individuals through mentorship, skills training, and structured support programmes.
“We cannot change the past, but we can create opportunities for people to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society,” he said.
Nata also voiced strong support for Fiji’s Truth and Reconciliation process, describing dialogue, understanding, and forgiveness as essential foundations for national healing.
He encouraged those affected by political upheavals to participate in conversations that promote understanding while recognising the importance of truth-telling and accountability.
“Our ethnic and collective identity and openness are not necessarily opposing poles. It could be the vehicle to bring us together,” he said.
“To ignore what ails us in the past, or to fear what we might unravel, or to pretend that there is nothing there, is to be trapped in our history. We should revisit, untangle, rebuild and move forward together.” he said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
FIJI – FUEL PRICE: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Fuel prices expected to fall from August, says Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor
NADI, 19 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Consumers can expect a noticeable reduction in fuel prices over the next few months as global oil prices continue to decline, according to Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Ariff Ali.
Speaking on the outlook for fuel costs in Nadi Friday, Ali said international oil prices have fallen significantly from their recent highs, providing relief for fuel-importing countries such as Fiji.
“The fuel price has fallen from a peak of about US$110 per barrel to just below US$80, somewhere around US$79 per barrel,” he said.
However, Ali cautioned that consumers should not expect an immediate drop in prices at the pump because of the way fuel purchases and deliveries are structured.
“What people need to understand is that the price of US$79 or US$80 being quoted now is for fuel that will be supplied in August. It is not something that our fuel retailers will immediately benefit from,” he explained.
Ali said there is a lag between international price movements and the fuel that eventually reaches Fiji due to purchasing arrangements and shipping times.
“Once that fuel is supplied a few months down the line, and then you add the additional couple of weeks required for it to be shipped to Fiji, we will likely see some reduction in fuel prices in August and maybe a bigger reduction in September,” he said.
The Governor said the decline in oil prices is encouraging and could bring welcome relief to households and businesses facing high transport and operating costs.
“Oil prices are falling from US$110 to just below US$80. I just hope the market remains positive and that prices continue to go down.”
While he does not expect prices to return immediately to levels seen before global geopolitical tensions pushed energy costs higher, Ali said the current trend is moving in the right direction.
“We may not go back to the levels prior to the war straight away, but at least for now we should expect a substantial reduction in prices over the next three months, although not immediately,” he said…. PACNEWS
UN – FISHERIES: AAP PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Dark fleets’ brought to light by world-first ocean map
MOMBASA, 19 JUNE 2026 (AAP) — Millions of previously hidden fishing vessels will be almost live-tracked as part of a project promising the clearest ever map of human activity at sea.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Minderoo Foundation and Global Fishing Watch, was announced at a global ocean summit in Kenya on Thursday.
Combining satellite imagery and vessel tracking data, the map will provide a near-real-time snapshot of millions of fishing vessels.
“This is genuinely uncharted territory,” Minderoo Foundation founder Andrew Forrest said.
“No one has attempted to map global fishing effort at this scale before.”
The map, due for release within two years, is designed to curb overfishing by helping policymakers and fisheries track fishing activity worldwide.
Global Fishing Watch currently tracks the activity of more than 100,000 large and medium-sized fishing vessels through its open-access map.
The updated map will leverage satellite imagery and machine learning to bring online millions of previously invisible smaller vessels.
GFW chief scientist David Kroodsma told AAP likened the development to extending Google Maps to fishing activity on the open seas.
“Anywhere on land in the world, you can see where the buildings are, you can see what’s happening,” he said.
“As soon as you go over the ocean, it turns into pixelated nothingness.”
It will also give a more comprehensive view of fishing activities by all boats and allow users to break vessels down by size.
Australian Marine Conservation Society sustainable fisheries manager Adrien Meder said vessel size was a key part of the conservation puzzle.
“Smaller artisanal fishing boats, massive industrial tuna vessels or factory freezer trawlers essentially all look the same out there,” Meder said.
The map will also shed new light on so-called “dark fleet” operators, using optical imagery to pinpoint unregistered vessels to a new level of detail.
These are vessels that do not transmit their location, sometimes engaging in illegal and unreported fishing, at times with devastating consequences.
About three-quarters of the world’s industrial fishing vessels are not publicly tracked, according to a study led by Global Fishing Watch.
The study, published in Nature, relied on data from 2017 to 2021 and found untracked operations mostly occurred near South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa.
“There are vast fleets out there fishing in the high seas,” Meder said.
“They’re causing absolutely catastrophic overfishing.”
While Australia has relatively strict oversight of its waters, Mr Meder said illegally caught produce often finds its way into domestic food chains.
“Without visibility of what these boats are doing at every stage, we lose that traceability from our plate back to the ocean,” he said.
Minderoo Foundation was co-founded by Dr Forrest, founder and executive chairman of mining company Fortescue, and Nicola Forrest in 2001…. PACNEWS
FIJI – MARITIME SURVEILLENCE: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Patrol vessel to boost maritime security in New Caledonia
NOUMEA, 19 JUNE 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — The French Navy’s patrol vessel, Jean-Tranape, has arrived in Nouméa in a significant upgrade to the territory’s maritime security capabilities.
The vessel will replace the older La Moqueuse and La Glorieuse to protect New Caledonia’s vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which spans over nearly two million square kilometres.
According to Commander Julien Fort, head of the Nouméa naval base, the Jean-Tranape is still undergoing final commissioning tests and is expected to be fully operational within several weeks. The ship conducted initial trials near its construction site in France before embarking on a lengthy transit from Brest, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, transiting the Panama Canal, and sailing across the Pacific to reach its new homeport.
The patrol boat’s primary missions will mirror those of the Auguste-Bénebig, which arrived in 2023. These include sovereignty patrols, fisheries enforcement, environmental protection, and combating illicit trafficking.
Commander Fort highlighted the vessel’s advanced capabilities, particularly its onboard drone, which significantly extends its surveillance range compared to its predecessors. Enhanced radar systems and the ability to coordinate with aerial assets such as the Falcon and Guardian further strengthen its operational effectiveness. The Jean-Tranape will also facilitate closer cooperation with regional partners, enabling information-sharing and joint efforts.
While noting that infractions in French waters remain relatively rare, Fort emphasised that continuous surveillance—using satellite tracking, vessel position reporting, and regular naval patrols—remains the cornerstone of protecting New Caledonia’s maritime sovereignty.
The arrival of the Jean-Tranape is a major technological leap forward for the territory’s naval capability…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
UNEP and GEF kick off global initiative to strengthen monitoring of toxic chemicals and mercury
NAIROBI 19 JUNE 2026 (UNEP) — The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have officially kicked off a US$23.5 million Global Chemicals Monitoring Programme (GCMP).
The initiative is designed to support the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Minamata Convention on Mercury; it aims to reduce global pollution while strengthening developing countries’ capacity to monitor hazardous chemicals and support evidence-based policy making.
Financed by the GEF, the programme is backed by US$50 million in co-financing.
The GCMP consists of six child projects: one global coordination project and five regional projects focusing on Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Together, they will generate robust scientific evidence on chemical pollution, improve data to inform policy development, strengthen cooperation, and support the long-term monitoring of POPs and mercury. By producing reliable data on POPs and mercury, GCMP contributes towards a better understanding of the toxic chemicals people are exposed to through air, water, and food – especially the most vulnerable groups, including newborns through contaminated breast milk.
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are toxic, carbon-based synthetic chemical substances that resist environmental degradation, bioaccumulate in food chain, and travel long distances across international borders, posing severe threats to human health and ecosystems. The World Health Organisation (WHO) places mercury and some of the POPs under the top 10 chemicals and group of chemicals of major public health concern.
Through globally coordinated monitoring of background levels of these pollutants, the programme aims to support countries in measuring progress towards their commitments under the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions and strengthen accountability for achieving global environmental objectives.
The programme is a continuation of the efforts made during the previous GEF-financed Global Monitoring Plan for POPs (GMP) projects under the Stockholm Convention, which has collected data on environmental concentrations of POPs since 2009. The GMP illustrated the effectiveness of global actions on chemicals with declining concentrations of several legacy POPs in many regions, while some newly listed POPs continue to exhibit increasing trends.
“The GCMP builds on the previous Global Monitoring Plan for POPs and now expands to the Minamata Convention. It represents a major step towards strengthening the scientific foundation needed to protect human health and the environment from POPs and mercury, and the GEF is committed to supporting such joint efforts, investments, and collaborations, bringing key stakeholders from across the world together to address harmful impacts of chemicals and waste,” said Anil Sookdeo, Chemicals and Waste Coordinator from the GEF.
“The success of multilateral environmental agreements depends on credible scientific evidence and strong international cooperation. UNEP with its partners, will support countries to strengthen POPs and mercury monitoring systems, improve data comparability, and build technical capacity to better understand and address broader chemical pollution challenges,” said Jacqueline Alvarez, Chief, Chemicals and Health Branch, UNEP.
By strengthening global chemicals monitoring, the GCMP will help in better protecting communities, particularly the most vulnerable ones, while ensuring that decisions under the Stockholm and Minamata Conventions are based on robust and reliable scientific evidence.
A key contribution of the GCMP is to support the effectiveness of evaluation processes under the multilateral agreements addressing POPs and mercury pollution. “Globally coordinated monitoring is crucial for evaluating whether global commitments under multilateral agreements are effective and protecting the environment and human health. In this context, the GCMP establishes a solid foundation for countries and institutions to collaborate, build technical expertise, and effectively implement their obligations under the multilateral environmental agreements,” said Kei Ohno Woodall, Senior Programme Officer and Coordinator of the GMP at the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Convention Secretariat.
“This project is extremely timely since it will fill the gap in reliable, globally harmonized, and comparable monitoring data identified through the ongoing first effectiveness evaluation of the Minamata Convention and support evidence-based policy decisions at national, regional, and global levels,” said Eisaku Toda, Senior Programme Officer and Coordinator of the Open-ended Scientific Group (OESG) of the Minamata Convention Secretariat.
The Programme Inception Meeting brought together regional executing agencies, funding partners, scientific advisory committee members, and representatives from more than 50 participating countries to form a shared understanding on the programme’s objectives, governance, methodologies, and annual work plans. Discussions also covered stakeholder engagement, communication and knowledge management, gender integration, and updates from regional executing agencies on the Programme implementation progress…. PACNEWS
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The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Niue advances national research ethics framework – University of Auckland
AUCKLAND, 19 JUNE 2026 (AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY) — Niue is taking a major step toward strengthening research governance as it looks to develop the country’s first research ethics framework.
University of Auckland’s Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, Centre for Pacific and Global Health, in partnership with Niue’s Department of Health, led the way hosting an open consultation on 11 June. Leading Pacific voices in health, theology and ethics alongside community members and regional experts came together, to help shape a culturally grounded approach to ethical research in Niue.
Facilitated by Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga, Co-Director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, the online session marked the first in a series of consultations aimed at establishing the Niue National Research Ethics Committee (NNREC).
“This is about ensuring research in Niue is not only high quality, but safe, culturally aligned, and trusted by the community,” said Sir Collin.
“We want to build a framework that protects participants, respects Niuean values, and enables research to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of our people.”
Learning from history, shaping the future
The development of the framework draws on international lessons, including Aotearoa New Zealand’s 1987 “Unfortunate Experiment” at National Women’s Hospital, which exposed serious ethical failings in research and led to sweeping reforms.
The case highlighted the consequences of research conducted without informed consent and reinforced the importance of independent oversight to safeguard communities and maintain public trust.
“We’ve seen what happens when research is not properly governed,” Sir Collin said.
“That history reminds us why strong ethics systems matter – not as a barrier to research, but as a foundation for trust and integrity.”
Pacific expertise guiding local solutions
University of Auckland academics played a key role in the consultation, including Associate Professor Monique Jonas and Associate Professor Susan Bull.
Associate Professor Jonas outlined a proposed model for how the committee could operate, drawing on international best practice while centring Niuean values.
“The goal is not to replicate overseas models, but to adapt them in ways that make sense for Niue,” she said.
“This framework is about enabling research to deliver benefits, while ensuring Niue retains control over how research is conducted and how its data is used.”
The proposed committee would bring together a mix of community representatives and technical expertise to ensure decisions reflect both local knowledge and global standards.
Associate Professor Bull, a global health bioethicist who has contributed to World Health Organisation ethics guidelines, supported the development of a framework that balances rigour with practicality, particularly in small island settings.
Grounded in Niuean values
A defining feature of the proposed framework is its foundation in Niuean cultural values, articulated during the consultation by Reverend Dr Matagi Vilitama.
His presentation emphasised a holistic and relational approach to research, where individuals are understood in the context of family, community and environment.
Key principles include respect, humility, reciprocity, collaboration, and stewardship, with strong emphasis on community engagement, data sovereignty, and ensuring benefits are returned to Niue.
“Research must be relational and grounded in community,” Rev Dr Vilitama said.
“It’s not just about gathering information – it’s about building trust, sharing knowledge, and leaving something of value behind for the people.”
Building trust and capability
Niue currently has no formal ethics committee, despite increasing interest in research across health and social sectors.
The proposed NNREC would provide independent oversight of all research involving human participants or data, with the authority to approve, modify or decline projects.
“This is about building capability as well as protection,” said Sir Collin.
“We want a system that supports local researchers, strengthens partnerships, and ensures Niue benefits from the research that happens here.”
The framework also aims to balance accessibility with accountability, avoiding unnecessary barriers while ensuring all research aligns with community priorities.
Next steps
The webinar marks the beginning of a wider consultation process, with further engagement planned across Niue and with the diaspora.
Feedback gathered will inform a final framework, with the goal of establishing the Niue National Research Ethics Committee and embedding ethical standards into the country’s research landscape.
“This is a collective effort. We’re working together to create something that reflects Niue’s identity, protects its people, and supports a strong, sustainable future for research, said Sir Collin…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Refreshed website launched in the lead up to the 11th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation
SUVA, 19 JUNE 2026 (SPREP) — From 07 to 11 September this year, the Pacific will hold the region’s largest Nature Conservation conference putting nature at the centre of our collective efforts in tackling the Triple Planetary Crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution.
Hosted in Noumea, New Caledonia at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, the conference will have sessions for working groups, a Pacific youth roundtable, a high-level segment, site visits and a special session on sustainable financing. It aims to bring together practitioners, policymakers, community representatives, researchers, youth, and partners to share experiences and explore solutions for nature conservation in the Pacific.
More information can now be found at the refreshed Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT) website – https://www.pacificislandsroundtable.com/
“This conference highlights our One Pacific approach. We have brought together the input of many partners and stakeholders that work in our nature conservation space to design a conference that will take us all forward, together,” said Amena Yavouli, Director of Biodiversity at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
“We are proud to work with the collective that is the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT) and bring you on this journey with us through the website as we voyage towards the 11th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation.”
“The conference will be a place for those of us who work in nature conservation to identify opportunities to collaborate – because none of us can take care of our natural environment alone,” said Ms Jacqueline Evans of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Chair of PIRT.
With registration now open through the PIRT website, the Chair urges interested stakeholders to click and sign up for the PCNC11 today.
The PIRT is a coalition of nature conservation and development organisations, intergovernmental bodies, donor agencies, and community groups working together to advance nature conservation across the Pacific. It serves as the coordination mechanism for implementing the Pacific Islands Framework for Nature Conservation and is mandated to address and coordinate action on urgent nature conservation priorities across the Pacific Islands.
“We welcome everyone who is interested in learning more, those who are active in bringing about a healthy environment for us all, and particularly our traditional knowledge holders, to join us. We look forward to seeing you at the conference this year,” said Evans.
The updated PIRT website https://www.pacificislandsroundtable.com/ is designed to make it easier for participants, partners, and supporters to access conference information and plan their attendance. Visitors can find registration details, programme updates, travel information, and other practical resources to help prepare for the event.
“We recommend that people visit the website regularly as we’ll be sharing conference updates and information on this journey,” encouraged Yavouli.
“See you in New Caledonia!”
The refreshed website was made possible through funding support from Pacific BioScapes and Fonds Pacifique 2024…. PACNEWS
