Island nations to lead ocean protection conference in Samoa
The upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, or CHOGM, set to take place in Samoa from 21 – 26 October, is a significant moment for the
Oceans
Solomon Islands government establishes pollution fund
Solomon Islands Government has established a Pollution Fund to deal with maritime oil spills in the
‘Not sitting on our laurels’, says Pacific Ocean Commissioner Manoni
Pacific Ocean Commissioner Filimon Manoni asserts that Pacific Island countries and territories have not been “sitting on our laurels” when stewarding the health and protection of the region's vast ocean and marine
No oil spill, assures acting Samoa PM
Acting Samoan Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, says there is no evidence of oil spillage in the area where the New Zealand naval ship HMNZS Manwanui
Environmentalists slam ‘premature’ seabed minerals harvesting regulations
Cook Islands has enacted seabed minerals harvesting regulations despite concerns about the lack of 'meaningful
Peaceful protest calls for moratorium on deep-sea mining in Cook Islands
Hundreds of Cook Islanders and tourists Wednesday joined a peaceful protest against seabed mining, calling for a moratorium on deep-sea activities. The rally held at the Avarua Harbour was organised by Cook Islands
In French Polynesia, boom in whale-based tourism sparks concern
A giant whale stole the show at the Summer Olympic Games, shooting out of the water as athletes competed in women’s surfing semi-finals on the French Pacific island of Tahiti last month. It is for spectacular
Regional law enforcement initiative launched amid rising maritime crimes in the Pacific
The United States and the Pacific island states have rolled out a regional initiative to boost maritime patrol and curb criminal activities around the region, which has gained notoriety as a “drug highway.” The
French Polynesia’s Moetai Brotherson on New Caledonia, deep sea mining and regional ties
As French diplomats worked the corridors at last week’s 53rd Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa, President of French Polynesia Moetai Brotherson has criticised decisions taken by President Emmanuel Macron that have
Opinion: Not merely ‘exploration’: PNG deep-sea mining riles critics & surprises officials
A deep-sea mining operation that recently took place off the coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has raised alarm bells for environmentalists and called into question the validity of the country’s moratorium on such
Cook Islands PM urges Pacific unity on deep-sea mining as leaders gear up for crucial talks
Cook Islands Prime Minister and former chair of the Forum, Mark Brown is urging Pacific Island leaders to come together on a collective stance on deep-sea mining, ahead of a key talanoa session set for next month. The
Forum island nations prepare for global oceans conference
As the oceans face devastating change from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, Pacific governments are preparing for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, to be held in France in June
French Special Envoy urges Pacific preparation for UN Ocean conference
An international conference about ocean protection is incomplete without the voices of the Pacific region, says Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, Ambassador in charge of Poles and Maritime issues, Special Envoy of the French
Opinion: Small-Scale Fishers facing Large-Scale Challenges at WTO
A decision whether to conclude negotiations that prohibit subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity is happening next week at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The WTO General Council meeting follows
Green Climate Fund approves US$23.92 million for Tonga Coastal Resilience Project
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board has approved a US$22.66 million grant for Tonga’s Coastal Resilience Project, supplemented by US$1.2 million in co-financing from the Government of Tonga and US$63,000 from the UN
Pacific nations stand firm on fisheries and oceans protection
For Pacific Island nations, marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management are crucial because the health of ocean resources deeply influences their economies and livelihoods. In recent times, contrasting
Opinion: Most plastics are made from fossil fuels and end up in the ocean, but marine microbes can’t degrade them
Marine plastic pollution is a massive environmental issue, with a plastic smog of an estimated 170 trillion particles afloat in the world’s oceans. This highlights how urgently we need to develop strategies to
Opinion: Private sector can play a vital role in tackling plastic tsunami
The Pacific Islands, among the most picturesque yet vulnerable regions in the world, are facing an escalating crisis: plastic pollution. The initiation of a global plastics treaty, underpinned by initiatives such as the
Marine species disappear amid dredging works
As dredging works moved downstream in the Sigatoka River, Kulukukulu Village headman Christopher Herbert Work watched as the machines heading towards them dug up the river and spewed out sand and gravel to the
Opinion: Communities worry anew as PNG revives seabed mining plans
Chris Malgan sits in his outrigger canoe, singing and shaking a ring of coconut shells in the water next to the boat. The inky skies backdropping the reef portend a late-morning storm that will bring a deluge of rain
UN nuclear chief tells Japan transparency is ‘very important’ in ruined nuclear plant’s discharges
The head of the UN atomic agency on Tuesday emphasised to Japan’s government the importance of transparency in its ongoing discharges of treated radioactive wastewater at the ruined Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power
$10 million project aims to reduce single-use plastics in Cook Islands
A project to reduce the number of plastics entering the country, focused on the food and beverage sector, was discussed during a workshop in Rarotonga last week. Like other countries around the world, the Cook Islands
