The Cook Islands Minamata Initial Assessment Report was developed under the project, “Development of Minamata Initial Assessment in the Pacific”. The project is an enabling activity for the ratification and/or implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The report consists of:
The National Environment Service worked closely with family representatives of the Takitumu Conservation Area, to submit an assessment application that will gave the TCA official international recognition as an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM).
All documents relevant to the submission process will be stored here, including resources on the TCA, which are referred to in the assessment form.
The TCA was launched as the Cook Islands' first OECM on International Biodiversity Day 2024 (22 May 2024)
A team from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research travelled to Rarotonga during July/August 2023 to carry out monitoring of biocontrols released in previous years. The team used drones to conduct monitoring surveillance for the invasive African Tulip tree species, using LiDAR and other imagery techniques.
This newsletter also provides an update on the control of the biocontrols.
The workshop slides for the Rarotonga consultation workshop for the RESPONSE project hosted by NES & TIS on the 6th March 2024 at the Rarotongan Resort
From February - April 2024, the National Environment Service and Te Ipukarea Society conducted consultations with various stakeholders for the RESPONSE project. Documents from these consultations have been filed here.
Ministry of Agriculture's entomologist, Mr. Mike Bowie, has sought to raise awareness on various insect species in the Cook Islands, including their features, size, and recommendations on pest control for some of the species. Hence, the release of the Bug of the Week.
Credit for these resources: Mike Bowie, Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture.
For more information, contact Ministry of Agriculture on +682 28711
The National Environment Service hosted two half day workshops on the 7th and 8th August 2024 at the Crown Beach Resort. The purpose of the workshop was to engage stakeholders to review the current CI National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, provide an overview of the alignment to the Global Diversity Framework goals and targets. The first workshop catered to Non-government Organisations and day two included Government Agencies.
A collection of article stories published by New Zealand Department of Conservation on the rat eradication efforts in Palmerston.
Site locations of known Iniao (Pritchardia mitiarona) clusters on Mitiaro.
There are 14 terrestrial PAs, which total at least 1407.2 hectares (five PAs are uncalculated), or about six per cent of the Cook Islands’ total 240 km2 land mass. Terrestrial PA are concentrated in a few locations. Three of the 15 islands in Cook Islands are wildlife reserves (Suwarrow, Takutea and Manuae), almost 40% of the terrestrial PAs are represented by four motu on Pukapuka, and three of Rarotonga’s four PAs make up 36% of total terrestrial PAs.
Cook Islands | Exclusive Economic Zone Area:
1,969,553 sq. km
Total Area Protected:
30,132 sq. km
Marine Protected Areas: 16
Designated: 14
Established: 0
Proposed: 2
Terrestrial Protected Areas: 2
Designated: 2
Established: 0
Proposed: 0
International Designations: No