In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — UN Decolonisation Committee pressed to act on New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Guam and Tokelau
2. B/VILLE — Bougainville President Toroama says PNG Parliament breached Melanesian Agreement, calls for international intervention
3. NEW|CALE — Polling cutback sparks anger as New Caledonia heads into tense vote
4. PACIFIC — CNMI, American Samoa thrilled by restoration of commercial fishing in Pacific marine monuments
5. NZ — Pacific ministry faces uncertain future as NZ Government weighs programme changes
6. FIJI — Call to stop voting for coup makers: Narube
7. FIJI — Fiji Defence Minister rebukes Narube over military comments
8. PNG — PNG’s East Sepik province told to brace for El Niño impact
9. FIJI — Only Govt will decide if I have to be removed: Fiji Police Commissioner Tudravu
10. PNG — East New Britain and NBC sign MoU for broadcast services
11. FIJI — Dialogue Fiji warns against election delays
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Solomon Islands PM Wale targets bank fees, demands direct talks with commercial banks
13. PACNEWS BIZ — EU-supported Fiji Agri-innovate competition 2026 celebrates agribusiness innovation and entrepreneurship
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Solomon Islands Finance Minister Lilo terminates all Resource sector tax exemption MoUs with immediate effect
15. PACNEWS BIZ — United adds new flights to Japan, unlocks connections from U.S to Guam, Saipan, Palau
16. PACNEWS BIZ — Financial discipline marks end of NBC board tenure
17. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Acting locally in the Pacific: How discovering new sea star species in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is reshaping what we know about life on the seafloor
18. PACNEWS DIGEST — Samoa strengthens Marine Litter monitoring
PAC – DECOLONISATION: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
UN Decolonisation Committee pressed to act on New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Guam and Tokelau
By Pita Ligaiula
NEW YORK, 17 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation heard renewed calls for action on New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Guam and Tokelau as it opened the main part of its 2026 session, with Pacific representatives, petitioners and administering Powers debating the pace of self-determination and decolonisation in the territories.
The discussions came as the committee approved three draft resolutions aimed at strengthening UN support for the world’s remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, including measures promoting information-sharing, reporting obligations and visiting missions.
New Caledonia dominated much of the debate, with petitioners urging the United Nations to take a more active role in addressing the territory’s political crisis and advancing its self-determination process.
Petitioner Reverend James Bhagwan questioned whether the Special Committee’s annual consideration of New Caledonia was producing meaningful progress.
He asked whether the Special Committee’s annual consideration of New Caledonia without a visiting mission, measurable benchmarks or a decolonisation timetable is advancing freedom, “or merely managing delay”.
Bhagwan also urged the United Nations to assess the electoral environment ahead of provincial elections scheduled for 28 June and “ensure that the poll is not used to normalize an unresolved colonial situation”.
Petitioner Billy Wetewea said the unrest that erupted in 2024 reflected deeper problems within the territory.
“The 2024 uprising was not an isolated event, but rather the consequence of a failed colonisation process,” said Wetewea.
He also cited a widespread “collapse of confidence” in France as the administering power.
Other petitioners called on the United Nations to help resolve the territory’s political crisis, defend Indigenous Kanak rights and revive what they described as a stalled self-determination process.
Speaking on behalf of France, the administering Power, its representative said New Caledonia remains a sui generis collectivity established under the 1998 Nouméa Accord and retains the right to self-determination under the French Constitution.
The representative said France would continue supporting New Caledonia through the upcoming elections and assist efforts to rebuild following the violence of 2024.
Fiji and Papua New Guinea both called for all parties to engage in good faith in the self-determination process and urged the United Nations to deploy a visiting mission to New Caledonia as soon as possible.
The committee also heard renewed criticism of France’s role in French Polynesia.
Petitioner Mareva Kitalong told delegates that “Decolonisation is not an issue of the past.”
She called on France to “finally open dialogue on decolonisation” as requested by the United Nations, arguing that despite its autonomous status, French Polynesia remains without political autonomy and legislative sovereignty.
Kitalong also highlighted to what she described as France’s “nuclear debt” to French Polynesia, citing the environmental and health impacts of decades of nuclear testing in the territory.
France rejected suggestions that French Polynesia lacked autonomy, saying the territory exercises broad powers over its economy, education, health and tourism sectors.
The French representative said the relationship between France and French Polynesia is based on longstanding dialogue and noted that France contributes approximately €2 billion (US$2.32 billion) annually to the territory, equivalent to about 30 percent of its gross domestic product.
In Guam, petitioner Pim Limtiaco said the Pacific territory continues to face challenges linked to its strategic location in the Asia-Pacific region.
She argued that Guam remains affected by the legacy of the Second World War and warned that current geopolitical competition is creating new pressures.
“The United States continues to ignore our input,” she said.
Limtiaco claimed the United States is now “eyeing our oceans” for deep-sea mining as it seeks to compete with Beijing and invited the Special Committee to visit Guam to observe what she described as active colonialism.
The discussion on Tokelau highlighted a more gradual approach to self-determination.
Andre Van Der Walt, Interim Administrator of Tokelau, said New Zealand remains committed to supporting the territory and noted that Tokelau has effectively exercised self-government for decades.
“It remains essential that the people of Tokelau are able to consider questions [of decolonization] at their own pace and in their own way,” he stressed.
Fiji’s representative welcomed New Zealand’s long-term investment in Tokelau despite the territory’s unique challenges and encouraged continued support until a mutually agreed governance arrangement is reached.
The debates highlighted the differing paths being taken by Pacific territories still listed as Non-Self-Governing Territories, with New Caledonia facing renewed scrutiny over its political future, French Polynesia continuing to push for a formal decolonisation dialogue, Guam raising concerns over strategic and resource interests, and Tokelau maintaining a gradual, locally driven approach to determining its future status.
The Special Committee’s discussions will continue as delegates examine the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories and consider further recommendations for submission to the UN General Assembly…. PACNEWS
B/VILLE – INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE: PACNEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Bougainville President Toroama says PNG Parliament breached Melanesian Agreement, calls for international intervention
BUKA, 17 JUNE 2026 (PACNEWS) — Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama has accused Papua New Guinea’s National Parliament of breaching the Melanesian Agreement (MA) and undermining the Bougainville peace process after lawmakers adopted a draft sessional order on the Bougainville Referendum results without the consent of the Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives.
Toroama said the decision taken by the National Parliament on 09 June 2026 contravened commitments made under the Melanesian Agreement and threatened the principles that have guided the Bougainville peace process since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
“The decision by the National Parliament on Tuesday 9 June 2026 to adopt a draft sessional order on the results of the Bougainville Referendum, without the required consent of the Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives, amounts to a breach of the Melanesian Agreement and runs contrary to the principles of respect, good faith and partnership that underpin the Bougainville Peace Agreement,” he said in a statement.
Toroama also expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of Prime Minister James Marape’s statements, the manner in which the parliamentary debate was conducted and the position taken on the negotiated majority threshold.
“I am disappointed in certain parts of the Prime Ministers statements, the order of the debate and the unilateral position on the negotiated majority threshold.”
The Bougainville President said he had previously warned that parliamentary developments in Port Moresby could test the resolve of Bougainvilleans and again urged the people of Bougainville to remain calm and united despite the latest developments.
“I echo that entreaty now. I repeat that our strength remains our unity of purpose and our faith in the justice of our cause,” he emphasised.
Toroama said the Autonomous Bougainville Government would continue engaging with the National Government despite what he described as attempts to weaken agreements reached between the two sides.
“As the Vice President stated, the Bougainville Government will continue to engage with the National Government in good faith, despite recent attempts to subvert the Melanesian Agreement and undermine the ratification process,” he said.
The President also called for international involvement, saying commitments made under the Melanesian Agreement regarding international monitoring should now be activated.
According to Toroama, the agreement provided for international monitoring with support from the United Nations, and he urged the facilitator responsible for developing the Melanesian Framework to convene international stakeholders to address the situation.
“The Melanesian Agreement called for international monitoring with UN support.
“I now call on the facilitator appointed to support development of the Melanesian Framework to activate that commitment to international monitoring and convene a meeting of international partners, representatives of the international community and the international witnesses to the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, to address the breach by the National Government of its commitments under the Melanesian Agreement and to ensure that the process and principles agreed at Burnham are honoured,” he said.
The call represents the strongest response yet from the Bougainville leadership following the parliamentary decision, which has intensified tensions surrounding the ratification process for the 2019 Bougainville Referendum result.
Despite the dispute, Toroama said Bougainville remained committed to pursuing its political aspirations through peaceful means and continued dialogue.
“We continue to place our trust in God to protect us, and to guide all parties in good faith in the delivery of Bougainville’s legitimate political destiny,” he said.
The statement signals that the Autonomous Bougainville Government will continue pressing for adherence to the commitments and processes established under the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the subsequent Melanesian Agreement, while seeking greater international scrutiny of the developments following the National Parliament’s decision…. PACNEWS
NEW|CALE – ELECTION/POLITICS: PMN PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Polling cutback sparks anger as New Caledonia heads into tense vote
NOUMEA, 17 JUNE 2026 (PMN) — A major cut in the number of polling stations in New Caledonia’s capital has sparked a heated debate about access to the vote, less than two weeks out from a key provincial election.
French authorities have reduced the number of polling booths in Nouméa from 57 to just nine.
Concerns are growing among voters and observers about what the changes could mean for turnout.
Speaking from Nouméa, Nic Maclellan, Islands Business correspondent, says the decision could create real barriers for some communities especially in working-class areas with limited public transport on Sundays.
“Normally around Noumēa, the capital, there are 57 polling booths, town hall, held at schools, other public offices. This year they’ve been reduced to just nine,” Maclellan told Pacific Mornings.
“In poorer working-class suburbs in the north of the capital, Noumēa, without good bus services on Sundays, it may be difficult for some people to get to a polling booth.”
He says the combination of fewer voting sites, limited transport, and a strong security presence is fuelling concern that some voters could be effectively shut out of the process.
Local debate is growing over whether the changes restrict access to the vote and raise concerns about democratic rights particularly for Indigenous Kanaks as well as Wallisian and Tahitian communities who are less likely to have private transport.
For the pro-independence movement, the changes to the electoral system are not just about logistics. They go to the heart of how decolonisation is meant to be delivered.
“The FLNKS [Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front] is clear: we are not opposed to changes to the electoral rolls but only within the framework of a comprehensive agreement that confirms the path to decolonisation,” Emmanuel Tjibaou, President of the pro-independence Union Calédonienne (the largest party within the FLNKS coalition), said in a statement.
That position is also being echoed more broadly across the wider independence coalition, which says the rules governing who can vote are central to the political settlement with France.
“Electoral conditions are at the heart of the Nouméa Accord and not negotiable… [These issues are] at the heart of the decolonisation process,” a FLNKS communiquē read.
The voting changes come as New Caledonia prepares for its first provincial elections in more than seven years, after repeated delays following the unrest in 2024.
The upcoming vote will be New Caledonia’s first provincial election in seven years.
The last election was held in 2019, with subsequent polls delayed following political tensions and unrest.
Voters will head to the polls on 28 June to elect members of the Congress of New Caledonia, which plays a key role in shaping the territory’s political future.
Beyond voting access, the election is also being shaped by the economic fallout from last year’s unrest.
That period of instability is still being felt across the economy and public services.
Maclellan says the territory’s economy suffered a sharp downturn, with gross domestic product falling by around 13.5 percent in a single year.
“Public transport has been badly disrupted and the economy suffered a terrible hit in 2024. It’s still only slowly rebounding from that,” he said.
Beyond the politics, everyday pressures are shaping how people are thinking about the election.
Health services remain under strain, youth unemployment is high, and the nickel industry – once a key economic driver – has been heavily disrupted.
But on the other side of the political divide, loyalist leaders argue the current adjustments fall short of ensuring fair access and representation for all communities.
Sonia Backès, leader of the anti-independence Loyalist Bloc, has criticised the changes as unacceptable in their current form. The changes are “insufficient” and “democratically unacceptable”, she told media.
Despite those challenges, the political contest remains deeply divided.
In the Southern Province, anti-independence parties have formed a rare, united front in an effort to consolidate support.
At the same time, the pro-independence bloc is facing internal splits, with divisions emerging beyond the traditional FLNKS structure.
Maclellan says the wider political uncertainty is being shaped by developments far beyond the territory, including France’s own political future ahead of its 2027 presidential election.
“Can there be a new agreement crafted over the next year before the French presidential elections which are due in May 2027, less than a year away.
“I think a lot of people feel that there won’t be an agreement until New Caledonia’s work out who’s the next French president,” Maclellan told PMN.
With President Emmanuel Macron unable to stand again, he says longer-term decisions on New Caledonia’s status are unlikely to move forward in the short term.
“The vast majority of Indigenous Kanak support independence,” Maclellan said. “A significant proportion of the non-Kanak population, particularly Europeans, want to stay with France.
“That’s an unresolved debate that underlies everything that is on the table in these elections.”
Maclellan says a final agreement on sovereignty may remain out of reach until there is greater clarity on leadership in Paris and unity on the ground in New Caledonia itself…. PACNEWS
PAC – FISHERIES: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
CNMI, American Samoa thrilled by restoration of commercial fishing in Pacific marine monuments
SAIPAN/PAGOPAGO, 17 JUNE 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Leaders of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa welcomed President Trump’s move to restore commercial fishing in federally protected Pacific waters amid a threat of legal action from an environmental group.
“For generations, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands have relied on the ocean for sustenance, culture and economic opportunity,” CNMI Governor David Apatang said.
The governor issued the statement on the heels of Trump’s 11 June proclamation that reopened portions of the marine national monuments, lifting a 17-year-old ban that conservationist pushed and fishing communities fought.
The presidential directive reinstates commercial fishing in the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, as well as the Mau and Ho‘omalu zones of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.
“This proclamation acknowledges the importance of America’s Pacific territories and supports opportunities for responsible fisheries development while maintaining strong conservation standards,” Apatang said.
He said the CNMI shares a common interest with other U.S Pacific jurisdictions in supporting local fisheries, exploring economic opportunities and enhancing food security “through the responsible use of marine resources.”
American Samoa Governor Pula Nikolao Pula said the reopening of access to fishing waters is a win for the territory’s main industry.
“American Samoa regained a stronger voice in the management of fishing grounds that directly affect our economy, our fleet, and our future as a U.S Pacific fishing community,” he said.
The Mariana Trench, Rose Atoll and Heritage Marine National Monuments were established in 2009 by President George W. Bush.
In 2017, President Barack Obama expanded the monuments to safeguard the coral reefs and deep-sea habitats. The protected areas totaled about 1.5 million square miles.
Due to the fishing restrictions, Pula said, American Samoa’s longline fleet had been pushed offshore into international waters, consuming more fuel and spending more days at sea to harvest highly migratory tuna, the backbone of American Samoa’s economy.
“Decisions about our ocean should be made with us, not handed down from afar,” Pula said.
Trump’s new proclamation advances his twin executive orders, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness” and “Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific,” both issued on 17 April 2025.
According to the White House, the policy aims to enhance U.S domestic seafood production, lower seafood prices, support American jobs and promote food security and national security.
“This action strengthens what tuna sustains: our cannery, our workforce, our families, and the last major American tuna processing hub in the Pacific,” Pula said.
Earthjustice is not pleased with Trump’s action, despite assurance from the White House that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, which oversees the monuments, has developed comprehensive plans for sustainable fishing with adequate protections designed for fragile marine ecosystems.
David Henkin, deputy managing attorney with Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific Office, warned that commercial fishing in marine monuments would result in environmental disaster without real benefits to the fishing industry.
“Without fishing in the monuments, U.S-based fisheries hit their catch limits for tuna every year,” Henkin said, vowing to challenge the new fishing policy in court.
“Science-backed management for the benefit of current and future generations requires protected marine areas. Safe havens allow marine life to maintain healthy populations and prevent corporate greed from stripping the ocean of life. We’ll see the administration in court,” he added.
Rep Amata Radewagen, American Samoa’s delegate to the U.S Congress, had persistently advocated for the resumption of commercial activity in the Marianas Trench and Heritage monuments.
However, she cautioned that Rose Atoll should remain off-limits, citing its “special significance.”
“With our heads we can welcome good news for our economy, while our hearts treasure Rose Atoll and stand with our people in Manu’a,” Radewagen said in a statement.
In general, she added, the proclamation strengthens U.S food security, reduces U.S need for imported fish and protects U.S waters.
“When it comes to Rose Atoll, that’s an exception and we rely on our hearts and culture,” Radewagen said…. PACNEWS
NZ – GOVT: PMN PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Pacific ministry faces uncertain future as NZ Government weighs programme changes
WELLINGTON, 17 JUNE 2026 (PMN) — The future of New Zealand’s Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) is coming into sharper focus with the Government signalling that some programmes could be folded into wider services as part of a cost-cutting review.
Speaking during Parliament’s Scrutiny Week, Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed work is underway on a performance plan aimed at reducing costs across the ministry, with a final proposal due to Treasury next month before going to Cabinet.
The review comes as the Government seeks savings across the public sector while working to return the books to surplus.
Goldsmith said the ministry’s workforce has already reduced from 138 staff to 84, and further changes are being considered as part of a wider review of its operations.
He said the Government still sees a role for MPP but signalled a stronger focus on policy advice rather than direct service delivery.
“The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a modest-sized ministry,” Goldsmith said.
He told MPs that some programmes currently run by the ministry could eventually be integrated into wider government services.
“The ministry is running a series of programmes funded in the past, some of which will continue, some of which will be folded into more general government programmes as time progresses,” he said.
Goldsmith also suggested some functions could be shared with other agencies as the review continues. “There are some operations that can be shared with other ministries.”
His comments have raised concerns among some Pacific leaders and opposition politicians, who fear dedicated Pacific services could be weakened if they are absorbed into larger government departments.
Former Labour MP and the party’s Papakura candidate, Anahila Kanongata’a, says Pacific communities need strong representation inside government, particularly as many families continue to face cost-of-living pressures.
In an interview on Pacific Mornings, she argues that reducing the ministry’s role risks weakening the Pacific voice in decision-making.
Kanongata’a said the proposed changes appear to be part of a wider effort to reduce the ministry’s influence across government.
“They want to delete the ministry and dilute the voice of Pacific people in other government organisations,” she said.
She believes dedicated Pacific-focused services remain important because they are designed around the needs and experiences of Pacific communities.
The Government has not yet announced which programmes could be affected, with the review process still underway.
Any final recommendations will be considered by Cabinet after the performance plan is submitted to Treasury on 29 July.
But questions remain over what the changes will mean for Pacific communities and whether services delivered through MPP will continue in their current form or be absorbed into larger government agencies…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Call to stop voting for coup makers: Narube
SUVA, 17 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Stop voting for coup makers, Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube has urged Fijians, arguing that the country’s history of political upheaval continues to carry a heavy social and economic cost.
Speaking on The Fiji Times online portal The Lens@177, Narube rejected descriptions of Fiji’s coup leaders as political “rock stars”, saying a more accurate label would be “coup makers”.
He said Fiji remained vulnerable to individuals who had seized power through unconstitutional means and later entered politics.
“Unfortunately, we vote them to be the Prime Minister,” Narube said.
The former Reserve Bank governor said he had consistently urged voters to break that pattern.
“I have said it repeatedly, let’s stop voting in coup makers to lead us. Please let’s stop it.”
Narube argued that coups had inflicted lasting damage on the nation and its people.
“They have hurt us, and the people. I ask people to please understand that.”
While critical of coup leaders, he stressed that his comments were not directed at the military as an institution.
“I’m just talking about the coup makers. I’m not talking about the military personnel generally. We have some very good military personnel.”
Narube said anyone aspiring to lead the country should seek power through democratic means.
“I’m asking everybody that if anyone wants to get into the leadership of the country, come through the front door. Please don’t jump in through the window.
“Hopefully there’s no more coup. But in future, let’s choose the right leader, not based on emotion that he did a coup two years ago.”
Narube said Unity Fiji would remove constitutional immunity provisions and allow the courts to determine accountability for past coup leaders
He said his party believed in equal treatment under the law and that no individual should be shielded from legal scrutiny.
Asked whether former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and current Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka should face imprisonment if immunity protections were removed, Narube said the matter should be left to the judicial process.
“We leave it to the jurisdiction process,” he said.
“They have to be accountable.”
Narube stressed that any determination of guilt or innocence should be made by the courts rather than politicians.
The former Reserve Bank governor argued that accountability was a fundamental principle of justice and should apply equally to all citizens, regardless of their status or position.
“There is a coup maker who has just spent over 20 so years in jail.
“We need to have one rule for all if they are found guilty by the court.”
Narube’s comments come amid ongoing debate over constitutional reform and provisions granting immunity for actions linked to Fiji’s coups.
He maintained that the legal system should be allowed to operate independently and that accountability for past actions should ultimately be determined through due process before the courts…. PACNEWS
FIJI – DEFENCE/POLITICS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Fiji Defence Minister rebukes Narube over military comments
SUVA, 17 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES) —- Fiji’s Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister, Pio Tikoduadua have launched a strong criticism of Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube, arguing that his recent comments on the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) demonstrate a lack of understanding of national security and civil-military relations.
Tikoduadua said the issue went beyond political disagreement and raised fundamental questions about leadership and governance in Fiji.
He said Fiji’s history, marked by the coups of 1987, 2000 and 2006, required leaders who understood the complexities of managing relations between elected governments and the military.
“This is not a minor political disagreement. It goes to the question of whether a person understands the responsibilities of government in a country like Fiji,” he said in a statement today.
“Our history is not theoretical. The military has been central to some of the most difficult periods in our national life.”
Tikoduadua accused Narube of believing that civil-military relations could be managed through “public attacks, sweeping statements and simple campaign lines.”
“That approach is not only shallow. It is dangerous,” he said.
“In Fiji, the relationship between elected government and the military must be handled with firmness, constitutional clarity and maturity.”
The defence minister said civilian authority over the military remained essential but argued that it must be exercised through legal discipline and institutional understanding rather than confrontation.
He revealed that Fiji had faced significant tensions following the 2022 General Election and said careful engagement had been required to protect constitutional government.
“I know how close Fiji was in 2023 to the shadows of 1987, 2000 and 2006,” Tikoduadua said.
“The country was not served by loud statements. It was served by discipline, restraint, engagement and a clear insistence that the Constitution must be respected.”
He warned that an approach based on confrontation could create instability and undermine efforts at reform.
“Civilian authority is not strengthened by recklessness. It is strengthened by legal discipline, institutional understanding, and a clear plan for reform.”
Tikoduadua also argued that Fiji’s security challenges extend well beyond the military, citing drug trafficking, transnational crime, border security, cyber threats and climate-related pressures.
“These are not issues for a leader who only knows how to make a political point,” he said.
“They require someone who understands how the national security system works and how the different institutions must be made to work together.”
While acknowledging Narube’s expertise in economics, Tikoduadua said national security required a different set of skills and judgement.
“He may understand economics. He may understand budgets. But national security is not the same as economic commentary,” he said.
The minister maintained that democratic oversight of the military remained crucial, but reforms had to strengthen rather than weaken state institutions.
“The elected government must lead. The Constitution must be supreme. The military must remain within its lawful role.”
Tikoduadua concluded by saying Fiji needed leaders who could protect democracy while maintaining stability.
“Fiji does not need a leader who treats the military as a convenient political target. Fiji needs leaders who understand the burden of keeping the country stable,” he said…. PACNEWS
PNG – WEATHER WATCH: NBC PNG NEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
PNG’s East Sepik province told to brace for El Niño impact
PORT MORESBY, 17 JUNE 2026 (NBC PNG NEWS) — Governor Allan Bird has urged communities in East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea to prepare for the looming El Nino, warning of serious impacts on food and water supplies.
Speaking to NBC News during an awareness campaign on radio, Governor Bird said prolonged dry conditions will deplete garden food, while rivers and streams could dry up, affecting fresh drinking water and fish supplies.
Bird said his office has begun water drilling projects to secure reliable freshwater sources. Plans are also underway to introduce desalination plants for coastal villages and islands.
The provincial adminstration is working to distribute drought-resistant sweet potatoes and other resilient crops to help families sustain food security.
Bird said he will formally seek National Government support during the July 2026 Parliament sitting to call for urgent assistance to strengthen East Sepik’s preparedness.
El Niño is a climate phenomenon caused by warming in the Pacific Ocean that disrupts weather patterns worldwide. In Papua New Guinea, it often brings drought, food shortages, and water stress.
The last major El Niño in 1997 affected almost the entire country, leaving communities struggling with crop failure and water scarcity.
Governor Bird emphasised that early action is critical, urging communities to take the warnings seriously and plan ahead to safeguard food and water supplies.
Meanwhile, Communities across Central Province are facing severe weather disruption as the compounding effects of an El Niño climate pattern trigger water shortages along the coast and damaging frost in the highlands.
The Central Provincial Disaster Office confirmed it has begun receiving impact reports from multiple districts, prompting emergency officials to urge locals to immediately prepare for a prolonged dry spell expected to last several months.
Provincial Disaster Advisor Tumai Ipou disclosed that natural water systems in coastal areas have already dried up. The shortages have forced coastal villagers to manually transport water containers over significant distances from Port Moresby to meet daily domestic needs.
The weather phenomenon is impacting the province’s distinct ecological zones in two contrasting ways.
Coastal Lowlands: Complete exhaustion of primary streams, creeks, and water catchments.
Highland Altitudes: Severe overnight frost in high-altitude valleys, including the Kosipe region of the remote Goilala District, threatening local subsistence food gardens.
“We have already seen El Niño taking place in the province,” Ipou said. “We must store water and use it wisely as we are in a serious dry season.”
Ipou said the provincial administration has prioritised emergency mitigation measures.
The Central Provincial Administration stated it is actively monitoring the situation across vulnerable local-level governments to coordinate relief logistics and water security initiatives…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLICE CHIEF: FIJI SUN PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Only Govt will decide if I have to be removed: Fiji Police Commissioner Tudravu
SUVA, 17 JUNE 2026 (FIJI SUN) — Fiji’s Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu says he will only step down from his position if directed to do so by the Government, amid growing public calls for his resignation.
Speaking on the Department of Information’s Voqa Ni Davui programme, Tudravu said his appointment was made by the Government and any decision regarding his tenure would also rest with the authorities.
“The Government appointed me. If the Government says I should step down, then I will have to,” Tudravu said.
“I don’t care what people say. They don’t know what I am dealing with now.”
He said he would await any official decision regarding his role as Police Commissioner.
Tudravu’s comments come as the Fiji Police Force faces increasing public scrutiny over ongoing investigations and allegations involving police officers.
Despite the criticism, he said he remained committed to leading the organisation through its current challenges.
“There is a lot happening,” he said.
Tudravu acknowledged the difficulties facing the force but maintained that improvements were underway.
He also appealed for greater recognition of the work carried out by police officers over the years.
“It’s very hard to appreciate what our officers have done. All we are good at is pointing out our weaknesses, and we fail to thank them,” he said.
The Commissioner said he remained focused on improving the Fiji Police Force while awaiting any decision from the Government regarding his position.
Meanwhile, Police corruption, drug use within the force, and calls to arm officers were addressed head-on by Permanent Secretary for Policing and Communications Berenado Daveta at the sidelines of the Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue in Suva.
Daveta said the ministry maintained a zero-tolerance policy on corrupt officers and that any found guilty would face due process and charges.
“No police officer should be corrupt. If they are found corrupt, they will be taken to a due process and be charged and indicted,” Daveta said.
On public trust, Daveta said the ministry was very concerned about corruption within the force and that stronger ethics training – threaded through every course and syllabus – was the answer, alongside proper background checks at recruitment.
He also clarified that a Police Bill provision allowing access to a suspect’s phone was not an unwarranted search, but search under warrant to gather evidence in drug trafficking cases against those already arrested.
“No one has the right just to pick on anybody’s phone,” Daveta said.
On mandatory drug testing for officers, he said the ministry had already conducted voluntary drug testing last week with no issues found and supported the Constitutional Review Commission’s suggestion that drug testing be made a condition of employment from the point of signing contracts…. PACNEWS
PNG – NATIONAL BROADCASTER: NBC PNG NEWS PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
East New Britain and NBC sign MoU for broadcast services
PORT MORESBY, 17 JUNE 2026 (NBC PNG) — The East New Britain (ENB) Provincial Government and the National Broadcasting Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] to roll out radio and television services in the province.
The agreement, signed Tuesday at NBC Headquarters in Port Moresby, will see both parties working together by sharing infrastructure and operational costs to improve broadcasting services for communities throughout ENB.
During the signing, Provincial Administrator for East New Britain, Levi Mano said; “They have already initiated the collaboration with NBC ENB in the province and they are here to finalized and sign the MOU.”
Mani urged all other provinces to collaborate with NBC to take initiative of their own developments.
The MOU was signed by the provincial administrator and NBC deputy managing director Michael Sumuga.
Samuga said this is one of the ongoing collaborations that NBC has with other provincial radio stations and provincial governments to service the people in the province.
The partnership is expected to strengthen access to information, public awareness, and communication services across the province…. PACNEWS
FIJI – ELECTION/POLITICS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 3: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Dialogue Fiji warns against election delays
SUVA, 17 JUNE 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Dialogue Fiji has welcomed the Government’s commitment to holding the next General Election within the constitutional timeframe, while warning that any attempt to delay or avoid elections would amount to a “self-coup”.
In a statement, Dialogue Fiji executive director Nilesh Lal welcomed comments by Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga reaffirming that electoral preparations remain on track.
“The statement provides welcome reassurance to the Fijian people that the Government remains committed to constitutional processes and that the next General Election will be conducted within the constitutionally prescribed timeframe,” Lal said.
He said there should be “absolutely no ambiguity” regarding the timing of the election.
“The next General Election must be held within the constitutionally mandated timeframe. Delaying, deferring, suspending or otherwise avoiding elections is not an option under any circumstances,” he said.
Lal argued that elections could not be postponed through legislation, constitutional amendments or the adoption of a new constitution.
“A government cannot avoid elections through legislation. It cannot avoid elections through constitutional amendments. It cannot avoid elections through a newly adopted constitution,” he said.
He warned that extending a government’s mandate beyond its constitutional term would amount to “an autogolpe, a self-coup executed through legal manipulation rather than military force.”
Dialogue Fiji said any such move would have serious consequences for the country.
“Foreign governments, regional neighbors, and key development partners will withdraw recognition of an illegitimate administration that rules past its constitutional mandate,” Lal said.
He also warned of economic fallout, including sanctions, reduced aid and damage to tourism and investor confidence.
“The political instability resulting from a paper coup will paralyze investor confidence and decimate our tourism sector, causing massive job losses and financial hardship for ordinary Fijian families,” he said.
Lal stressed that governments do not own their mandates indefinitely.
“Governments do not own their mandates. They borrow them from the people for a limited period of time. When that period expires, they must return to the people and seek a fresh mandate,” he said.
Dialogue Fiji said it welcomed the Acting Attorney-General’s commitment to the constitutional election timetable and expressed hope that all political actors would remain committed to democratic principles…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
SOL – BANK: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Solomon Islands PM Wale targets bank fees, demands direct talks with commercial banks
HONIARA, 27 JUNE 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS) — Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale intends to hold regular dialogue with commercial bank executives to discuss issues of concern.
Wale made his intention known when he met Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands Dr Luke Forau Tuesday.
The prime minister told Forau he was concerned about the high fees imposed by commercial banks on regular customers.
“I would like an audience with the banks maybe on a quarterly basis so that they are informed and aligned with the government’s policy directions,” Wale stated.
As Opposition leader, Wale, who assumed power in mid-May following a successful no-confidence vote against his predecessor Jeremiah Manele, has been expressing concerns about charges banks have been imposing on customers.
He said some of the bank charges were unreasonable.
The former Opposition leader has been urging CBSI to use its regulatory powers Act to review, and where appropriate, prohibit such unjustified fee structures.
“It is the role of the Central Bank to safeguard the financial integrity of our economy, not only in relation to monetary policy or banking soundness, but in ensuring that the banking system serves the people,” Wale said previously.
He said Solomon Islands needs a financial system that reflects the nation’s values.
“We need a banking culture that is rooted in fairness. One that facilitates economic participation and contributes to national development.
“Our people deserve financial institutions that act as partners, not predators.
“CBSI must ensure this is reflected in its financial regulation.”
In his meeting today with the CBSI boss, the duo discussed at length financial consumer protection.
Governor Forau also acknowledged Wale’s concerns, agreeing that a direct forum between the Prime Minister and commercial financial institutions is a necessary step to align corporate banking practices with national policy goals.
He also acknowledged the urgent necessity of stabilizing and reforming the economy to effectively accommodate the strategic development plans of the GREAT coalition government.
Prime Minister Wale used the opportunity to outline the immediate economic and developmental roadmap that the GREAT coalition aims to execute over the next two years…. PACNEWS
FIJI – AGRICULTURE: EU PACIFIC PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 17 Jun 2026
EU-supported Fiji Agri-innovate competition 2026 celebrates agribusiness innovation and entrepreneurship
SUVA, 17 JUNE 2026 (EU PACIFIC) — Fiji’s most promising agrifood entrepreneurs gathered this week to compete in the 2026 Agri-Innovate Competition Finale, the culminating event of a flagship initiative under the Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems (STODAS) project.
Funded by the European Union (EU) for FJD$ 25.6 million (EUR 10 million) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the STODAS project supports the transformation of agrifood systems across Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands.
The two-day event marks the final stage of a rigorous selection and training process, which forms an integral part of the Fiji Agribusiness Incubator Centre’s annual programming.
The In-Country Showcase opened on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, and will be followed by the final Pitching Competition and Closing Ceremony on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
The event will take place at the Southern Cross Conference Room on Gordon Street, Suva, where the top three winners will receive FJD$5,000 (US$2,500) each in seed funding to scale their ventures.
In her opening remarks, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, highlighted the European Union’s continued commitment to supporting agribusiness innovation and entrepreneurship in Fiji.
“The European Union is proud to support the third edition of the Fiji Agri-Innovate Competition, reflecting our commitment to sustainable agrifood systems and inclusive growth across the Pacific. Through STODAS and our Global Gateway strategy, we are dedicated to empowering innovative agribusinesses and MSMEs – because we believe entrepreneurship is key to building resilient, food-secure communities.”
“Let us keep working together to turn this entrepreneurial energy into lasting opportunities for Fijian communities,” concluded the Ambassador.
In Fiji, Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) organises the annual competition to identify, train, and empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and agribusinesses across the country.
The showcase and pitching competition are the culminating steps in a process that included an intensive ten-day virtual bootcamp designed to strengthen participants’ business knowledge and investment readiness.
Ten shortlisted finalists competed in the final pitch presentations, showcasing innovative products, services, and business models aimed at transforming Fiji’s agriculture and food systems:
*Delainaulucavu Organic Enterprise;
*Farm to Table Enterprise;
*Kula Palms (Fiji) Pte Limited;
*Zonah United;
*Impact Pacific (Fiji) Limited;
* Vuadomo Company (Fiji) Pte Limited;
*Being Fit PTE Ltd;
*Discover Taveuni Enterprises;
*Go Vet Clinic;
*Teivaka Pte Ltd.
The following businesses participated in the pitching session only:
*Sokoiwasa’s Dream Investment
*Shahil’s Party Ice and Frozen Supplies
The 2026 edition marks a significant milestone: the third consecutive round of the competition since the establishment of Fiji’s first ever Agribusiness Incubation (ABI) Centre, representing a major step in transforming the country’s agricultural sector into a modern, knowledge-based business ecosystem.
Joann Young, Assistant FAO Representative to Fiji said: “The continued success of the Agri‑Innovate Competition underscores the dynamism of Fiji’s agribusiness sector and the ingenuity of its entrepreneurs. Recent national economic discussions have reaffirmed the resilience of MSMEs in the face of increasing global shocks and their vital role in sustaining livelihoods and growth.
FAO, through initiatives such as the EU‑funded STODAS project, is supporting MSMEs to scale innovation and strengthen agrifood systems, and we call on development partners to deepen collaboration and investment to unlock the full potential of this sector.”
FAO provides technical leadership across all project activities, from agrifood systems diagnostics to business development support for MSMEs, working in close collaboration with national government partners and civil society organisations.
Nitika Singh, General Manager of Business Assistance Fiji – BAF said “The Fiji Agri-Innovate Competition 2026 is about supporting our people. We want to inspire our MSMEs to innovate, helping them move beyond subsistence and empowering them to build modern, climate-resilient agribusinesses they can be proud of.
By giving our local agri-entrepreneurs a platform to pitch their ideas and promote their products, we are shaping a secure future for our youth and helping Fiji grow more of its own food. We are deeply grateful to the European Union for their generous funding, and to our partners at FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry, and the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development. Together, we are walking alongside our farmers to turn passion and innovation into thriving, sustainable businesses…. PACNEWS
SOL – TAX EXEMPTION TERMINATED: SOL GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Solomon Islands Finance Minister Lilo terminates all Resource sector tax exemption MoUs with immediate effect
HONIARA, 17 JUNE 2026 (SOL GOVT) — Solomon Islands Minister of Finance and Treasury, Gordon Darcy Lilo has ordered the termination of all Memoranda of Understanding relating to tax exemptions in the mining, forestry, and fisheries sectors, effective immediately.
A statement from the Ministry said the move closes fiscal loopholes and ensures all tax exemptions comply with the law.
Under the current legislation, authority to grant exemptions rests solely with the Revenue and Customs Exemption Committee.
While the Minister has signed some MoUs in the past, he does not have the legal power to approve exemptions outside this process.
“Any fiscal arrangements previously covered under MoUs will no longer be recognised,” Minister Lilo stated.
All resource sector companies are directed to comply with existing legislation and regulations, and to submit any exemption requests through the Revenue and Customs Exemption Committee.
The Ministry said the decision strengthens fiscal management, safeguards public revenue, and ensures a level playing field…. PACNEWS
PAC – AIRLINE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 17 Jun 2026
United adds new flights to Japan, unlocks connections from U.S to Guam, Saipan, Palau
LOS ANGELES/HAGATNA, 17 JUNE 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — United Airlines will launch new nonstop service from the U.S mainland to Japan, with flights to Sapporo and Tokyo-Narita.
Taking off on 24 October, the new daily service, operating Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita, will unlock easy, one-stop connections for travelers to 21 destinations across Asia-Pacific on United or Joint Venture partner ANA.
Customers can connect on United to cities including Cebu, Guam, Kaohsiung, Palau, Saipan and Ulaanbaatar.
United will be the only U.S airline offering service between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita, further expanding its position as the only U.S carrier connecting Chicago to the Pacific region nonstop.
With the two new routes, United will serve five airports in four Japanese cities from its hubs in the continental U.S and Guam: Sapporo, Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Osaka and Nagoya.
“Whether customers are dreaming of skiing in Sapporo, planning a business trip to Tokyo with some exploration added in, or an even bigger adventure across Asia, United gives travelers more ways to get there than any U.S airline,” said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of Network Planning and Global Alliances, United Airlines.
According to the airline’s press release, the new service builds on the airline’s existing service between Chicago and Tokyo-Haneda, providing travelers with even more ways to travel between the U.S and Japan.
“Our new nonstop service from San Francisco to Sapporo makes it easier to vacation in one of Japan’s most unique destinations, while our new Chicago to Tokyo-Narita service gives business and leisure travelers a premium onboard experience and the flexibility to continue their journey across Asia on United to exciting destinations,” Quayle said.
United is the main carrier between the continental U.S and Japan. In 2025, the airline flew more than 1.8 million passengers between the two countries – more than all other U.S carriers combined.
United will operate up to 13 daily flights from the continental U.S to four airports in Japan, including Sapporo, Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda and Osaka.
Starting 11 December, United will launch three times weekly winter seasonal service between San Francisco and Sapporo, marking the first nonstop flights between the continental U.S and Sapporo.
Flights are expected to operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. United will connect travelers from nearly 80 U.S cities to Sapporo through its premier Pacific gateway in San Francisco, making it easier than ever to reach this unique Japanese destination…. PACNEWS
PNG – NATIONAL BROADCASTER: NBC PNG NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Financial discipline marks end of NBC board tenure
PORT MORESBY, 17 JUNE 2026 (NBC PNG) — Papua New Guinea’s national broadcaster the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) bid farewell to its outgoing board of directors, concluding a tenure accompanied by significant institutional reform, policy development, and a heavily emphasised drive for fiscal responsibility.
The state broadcaster hosted a farewell gathering at its national headquarters in Port Moresby last Friday to honour the departing leadership team.
NBC Managing Director Kora Nou led the commendations, expressing gratitude on behalf of the management, staff, and national newsroom for the strategic guidance provided by the board during a critical period of corporate development.
He outlined the board’s role in reinforcing the stability of the state broadcaster, specifically pointing to the implementation of rigid financial controls as a cornerstone of their legacy.
“The strong financial discipline instilled by this board has been instrumental in driving our recent institutional developments and strengthening our operational framework,” Nou said.
Outgoing Board Chairman Ian Tarutia expressed his gratitude to the NBC management and staff for their cooperation and shared commitment to corporate goals throughout his term.
Tarutia said it had been a distinct honor to guide the growth of the national broadcaster, stating that the board had remained focused on elevating the standards of corporate governance, policy development, financial accountability, and long-term institutional progress.
He said NBC was a vital state asset and expressed absolute confidence in its continued trajectory and service to the independent state of Papua New Guinea.
Supporting these sentiments, outgoing Deputy Chairman Henao Iduhu said it was a privilege to collaborate closely with both the board and executive management to deliver meaningful structural reforms.
According to NBC management, the corporate frameworks and stringent financial guidelines established under the outgoing board’s leadership have left the broadcaster heavily stabilised and well-positioned for its next phase of national network expansion…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Acting locally in the Pacific: How discovering new sea star species in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is reshaping what we know about life on the seafloor
KINGSTON, 17 JUNE 2026 (ISA) — This year, the International Day for Biological Diversity calls us to “act locally for global impact,” a principle that resonates deeply with the scientists working to document life in the most remote reaches of our oceans.
In the deep seabed, where darkness, cold and crushing pressure define the environment, most species remain unknown to science. Identifying, naming and describing them, the work of taxonomists, is one of the most locally grounded acts in biology research which requires hands-on study of individual specimens from sparse sites. And yet its impact is unmistakably global.
Named species can be tracked, protected and incorporated into the international frameworks that govern our shared ocean, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which sets ambitious targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The work of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) also depends on this knowledge to fulfill its responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea – to regulate and control mineral-related activities in the international seabed Area while protecting the marine environment – and to ensure the sustainable development of deep-sea activities.
As part of the observance of International Day for Biological Diversity, ISA is spotlighting five taxonomists whose work carried out locally, in laboratories and at sea, is contributing to a growing global understanding of the biodiversity of the deep seabed. Their discoveries, supported by ISA’s Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative (SSKI), directly advance the One Thousand Reasons campaign, which aims to formally describe at least one thousand new deep-sea species by 2030 in collaboration with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Together, these efforts are shaping how the international community understands, monitors, and protects the deep seabed and how it can effectively implement the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
Dr Magdalini Christodoulou is a marine taxonomist at the Biology Centre of the Upper Austria Landes-Kultur GmbH, working in close collaboration with the German Centre for Marine Biodiversity Research.
Her work focuses on the taxonomy of deep-sea echinoderms, a group that includes sea stars, brittle stars and sea urchins. Much of her research focuses on the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ), a region that spans approximately six million square kilometres between Hawaiʻi and Mexico in the central Pacific Ocean. Despite growing scientific interest in the CCZ, largely driven in part by the prospect of deep-sea mining, it remains one of the least explored regions on Earth.
Dr Christodoulou’s taxonomy work is helping to change that.
Her recent research has contributed to the formal description of new species including Caymanostella hades, C. persephone and Ophiotholia saskia, and in a separate study focused on brittle stars from the CCZ. The known biodiversity of the brittle start group increased fourfold while entirely new evolutionary lineages were discovered.
Among her most striking recent findings was the discovery of two new Caymanostella sea star species collected from the same piece of sunken wood, a so-called “wood fall,” at a depth of around 4,500 metres. This research discovery was supported by the ISA’s One Thousand Reasons campaign. The co-occurrence of two distinct new species on a single, rarely encountered habitat raises profound questions about how deep-sea life disperses, specializes and survives in one of the most resource-limited environments on the planet.
This year’s International Day for Biodiversity theme calls us to “act locally for global impact.” How does your taxonomy work connect to this idea?
This theme really captures the essence of taxonomy. My work focuses on identifying and describing species from the deep sea, and although these discoveries are made at a local scale, often within very specific regions, they contribute to building a much clearer and broader picture of global ocean biodiversity. Every time a species is identified or described, we gain important knowledge about how these ecosystems function and how they could potentially respond to environmental change or human impact.
Although the work may seem highly local, based on material collected from specific expeditions or areas of the seafloor, the impact is global because the oceans are deeply interconnected. My research has contributed to expanding known species distributions, describing new species, and improving our understanding of deep-sea biodiversity patterns by comparing the fauna of subregions. Accurate taxonomy supports governments, scientists and policymakers in making informed decisions on issues such as Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEIS) and Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs), biodiversity monitoring and emerging activities like deep-sea mining. Ultimately, taxonomy provides the baseline knowledge needed to protect biodiversity. I firmly believe, like many other deep seabed taxonomists, we cannot conserve what we do not yet know exists.
Can you walk us through a recent discovery and what was most exciting or unexpected about it?
A recent and particularly exciting discovery was the identification of two new species of the genus Caymanostella collected from the same piece of wood, a “wood fall,” in the CCZ at depths of around 4,500 metres. These species belong to a relatively rare group of sea stars associated with wood-fall habitats.
Wood falls, pieces of wood that sink from the ocean surface to the deep seafloor, create small, temporary islands of life in an otherwise food-limited environment. Because they are so rarely encountered, they represent highly specialised and ephemeral habitats. Finding new species associated with them highlights just how much deep-sea biodiversity remains undocumented, even in regions that are increasingly being explored in the context of potential deep-sea mining activities.
What was particularly unexpected was the co-occurrence of two distinct new species on a single wood fall, suggesting a high degree of specialization and potentially complex ecological interactions within this type of habitat. It also raises fascinating questions about how these organisms disperse across vast deep-sea distances and locate such rare and short-lived resources.
How do new tools like environmental DNA, AI-assisted image recognition and high-resolution video complement classical taxonomy?
While these new technologies have the potential to significantly reinforce deep-sea biodiversity research, they cannot fully replace classical taxonomy. They, however, can be complementary. Environmental DNA, AI-assisted image recognition and high-resolution imaging can greatly increase the speed and scale at which we detect biodiversity. In the deep sea, where sampling is logistically challenging and many species are rare or occur at low abundance, these tools help capture signals of biodiversity that might otherwise be missed.
Classical taxonomy remains essential because these methods often stop at detection. eDNA can tell us that a species is present, but it does not always allow confirmation down to species level, nor does it provide information on life stage or morphology. AI-based identifications are only as good as the reference datasets they are trained on, which in the deep sea are still incomplete. The most robust approach is an integrative one, combining morphology, molecular data, ecological context and, where available, imagery or in situ observations. In my own recent work, I have applied high-resolution imaging and molecular sequencing alongside classical morphological taxonomy, helping to strengthen species delimitation and provide a more complete understanding of deep-sea biodiversity.
Why does ISA’s One Thousand Reasons campaign matter for advancing this kind of research?
Initiatives such as the One Thousand Reasons campaign are important because they bring greater visibility to taxonomy and help accelerate both the discovery and documentation of deep-sea biodiversity at a time when this knowledge is urgently needed. They provide the means to optimise taxonomic research by enabling the full utilisation of logistically difficult and costly collected samples, facilitating exchange between expert teams and supporting shared use of infrastructure and expertise across institutions.
By highlighting concrete discoveries and linking them to broader biodiversity and conservation goals, these initiatives demonstrate the real-world value of taxonomy and baseline science. They reinforce the idea that documenting biodiversity is not an ephemeral task, but an ongoing scientific foundation. Such initiatives also ensure that taxonomy remains supported as a core discipline directly connected to global biodiversity policy and conservation priorities.
Why does data sharing and collaboration across institutions matter for understanding the deep seabed?
Data sharing and collaboration are essential for understanding and managing the deep seabed because no single institution or country can fully study such a vast, remote and complex environment alone. As different institutions share expertise, reference collections, molecular facilities, imaging capabilities and historical material species can be accurately identified and described.
The new Caymanostella species, for example, were collected during the JPI Oceans Mining Impact project, a joint European campaign in the CCZ that brings together over 30 partner institutions across Europe, led by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. The project provides an independent, transdisciplinary environmental assessment of the potential impacts of deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining, and the specimens collected through it were later described through collaboration between scientists from multiple institutions. Collaborating with other taxonomists has given me the opportunity to learn different methodologies and improve the reliability of species identification through cross-validation and shared knowledge. A new species discovered locally forms the basis of a much larger global effort to understand and protect marine biodiversity, strongly reflecting the idea of “act locally, for global impact.”
What would success look like in the next decade in terms of reducing the taxonomic data gap and improving how biodiversity knowledge feeds into deep-sea governance?
For me, success over the next decade would mean seeing taxonomy placed more centrally within deep-sea science and better supported and integrated into both research and policymaking. One of the main priorities is building the next generation of deep-sea taxonomists, as a shortage of expertise persists globally, particularly for many understudied deep-sea groups. Success would include creating more dedicated positions within relevant institutions, alongside opportunities for training, mentorship and international collaboration.
I would also like to see biodiversity knowledge more directly embedded into deep-sea governance and decision-making. Taxonomy is often viewed as a purely descriptive science, but it underpins everything from biodiversity assessments to conservation planning and environmental impact assessment. Success would mean ensuring that robust taxonomic data are recognised as essential evidence for policymaking and for achieving broader international commitments, including the goals of the KMGBF. Documenting biodiversity must be treated as a fundamental requirement for understanding and sustainably managing the deep seabed. …. PACNEWS
About ISA
ISA is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation mandated by the UNCLOS to manage the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the shared benefit of humankind. ISA is committed to ensuring that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including mining, are regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all humankind.
About the “One Thousand Reasons” Campaign
Launched by the ISA under SSKI, it is a global effort to describe at least 1,000 new deep-sea species by 2030. The campaign promotes international collaboration, particularly engaging scientists from developing States, and integrates species descriptions into open-access databases to support sustainable management of the international seabed area.
SSKI is a multi-donor, flagship initiative under the ISA’s Marine Scientific Research Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science. The Initiative has received significant financial support from the European Union, the Republic of Korea, France, Ireland, China, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), Portugal and India
For media inquiries, please contact: ISA Communications Unit, news@isa.org.jm
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Samoa strengthens Marine Litter monitoring
APIA, 17 JUNE 2026 (SPREP) — On World Oceans Day on 8 June, Samoa reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Ocean through strengthened marine litter monitoring and improved waste management practices.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), the French Embassy in Samoa, and Sustainable Coastlines New Zealand, successfully delivered a two-day Marine Litter Training Workshop from 26-27 May 2026.
The training forms part of the Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific – Phase 2 (SWAP2) Project, funded by the Agence française de développement (AFD) and implemented by SPREP across nine Pacific Island countries and territories.
MNRE Chief Executive Officer, Lealaisalanoa Frances Brown-Reupena highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing marine litter and plastic pollution.
“Marine litter and plastic pollution remain one of the greatest environmental challenges facing our region today,” she said.
“As Pacific island nations, our oceans are central to our livelihoods, culture, biodiversity and economic wellbeing. Protecting them is therefore a shared regional responsibility.”
World Oceans Day serves as an important reminder of the critical role oceans play in sustaining Pacific communities. The Pacific Ocean provides a significant source of food security and livelihoods for millions of people across the region, while also supporting cultural traditions, biodiversity, and economic development.
However, increasing levels of marine litter and plastic pollution continue to threaten marine ecosystems and contaminate the food chain, affecting marine species and potentially human health.
French Ambassador to Samoa, Guillaume Lemoine, reaffirmed France’s commitment to ocean protection and regional environmental cooperation.
“France is particularly proud to support the SWAP projects through AFD. These initiatives are fully aligned with France’s priorities for ocean conservation in the Pacific and contribute directly to protecting our shared marine environment,” he said.
Reflecting on the training, Aloma Black, Program Coordinator at Conservation International, highlighted the value of strengthening national and regional capacity for marine litter monitoring:
“The training strengthened my understanding of how to collect and analyse marine litter data, and then how this data can be used to inform long-term prevention actions. Using a standardised approach to surveys and audits across the region will support a more coordinated and effective response to plastic pollution.”
The workshop was delivered by Sustainable Coastlines New Zealand and focused on building national capacity in marine litter monitoring using the internationally recognised Litter Intelligence methodology. Participants received training in beach survey techniques, waste audits, data management, and reporting processes that will support evidence-based decision-making and policy development. It was the fifth marine litter training delivered under SWAP2, following similar activities in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and French Polynesia.
Two training sessions were conducted during the workshop. The first session was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Apia for government agencies, civil society organisations, and national stakeholders. The second session was delivered in Lalomanu, providing practical field experience in beach surveys and waste audits.
The training also marks an important milestone for Samoa’s Marine Litter Pilot Project. As part of the project, the Waste Recycling Environment Network (WREN) will conduct beach surveys and waste audits every six months at three selected monitoring sites until July 2028. The data collected will provide valuable information on the composition, sources, and trends of marine litter in Samoa and support the development of targeted waste management policies and interventions.
The data collected will also contribute to a regional marine litter database, supporting evidence-based decision-making and strengthening regional efforts to address marine litter and plastic pollution across the Pacific.
In addition, the Samoa Recycling and Waste Management Association (SRWMA) will implement awareness-raising activities targeting schools and young people.
Since marine litter monitoring activities began in Samoa in 2019, 25 beach surveys and waste audits have been completed, involving 1,068 volunteers. Results show that plastic accounts for nearly 49 percent of all litter recorded. The most common items identified include glass and ceramic fragments, beverage bottles, and food wrappers.
The workshop comes at a time when Samoa is strengthening its efforts to reduce plastic pollution. MNRE recently launched its Policy on the Ban of Single-Use Plastics at all Ministry-organised, funded, and endorsed events.
The policy prohibits the use of items such as plastic straws, cups, plates, cutlery, containers, and bags, while promoting reusable, biodegradable, and traditional alternatives.
In parallel, Samoa continues to advance work on a Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) framework, which aims to encourage the return and recycling of beverage containers through a deposit-refund system. These initiatives build on Samoa’s existing Waste Management Act and previous bans on single-use plastic shopping bags, straws, and polystyrene containers. The Ministry will soon be conducting enforcement of the single-use plastic ban regulation.
Through partnerships between government agencies, communities, civil society organisations, development partners, and regional organisations, Samoa continues to demonstrate leadership in addressing marine litter and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
The SWAP2 Project will continue supporting marine litter monitoring, awareness-raising activities, and waste management initiatives across the Pacific through to 2028…. PACNEWS
For more information, please visit SWAP Project Website or contact Ms Julie Pillet, SWAP Project Manager, at juliep@sprep.org
