"Comparison of the average hard coral cover between the three five-year periods comprising the last 15 years (2005-09, 2010-14, 2015-19, Tab. 9.3) indicated that there was a high degree of confidence (93%) in the long-term decline, despite the uncertainty in individual yearly estimates. Further, the vast majority (90%) of this decline occurred between 2010-14 and 2015-19, suggesting that the rate of decline in hard coral cover has accelerated during the last five years"
In the 30th SPREP meeting held in September this year, the meeting supported the scaling up of environment data management in the Pacific and directed the Secretariat to initiate a process for developing a full-sized project proposal to support the scaling up environmental data management work in the region.
Later in October, the Inform Project participating countries collectively agree on the need to scale up and extend the Inform Project services beyond 2022.
In the 30th SPREP meeting held in September this year, the meeting supported the scaling up of environment data management in the Pacific and directed the Secretariat to initiate a process for developing a full-sized project proposal to support the scaling up environmental data management work in the region.
Later in October, the Inform Project participating countries collectively agree on the need to scale up and extend the Inform Project services beyond 2022.
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.
The Pacific Network for Environmental Assessment (PNEA) Portal is an initiative of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to support government officials from Pacific Island countries and territories who work with environmental impact assessment (EIA), strategic environmental assessment (SEA) as well as Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS).
The portal complements SPREP’s current capacity building program for EIA and SEA - including the recently launched Regional EIA Guidelines, the Coastal Tourism EIA guidelines, and SEA guidelines.
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.
Maps and associated data from the Turtle Research and Monitoring Database System (TREDS). A summary of the database can be found below.
The Turtle Research and Monitoring Database System (TREDS) provides invaluable information for Pacific island countries and territories to manage their turtle resources. TREDS can be used to collate data from strandings, tagging, nesting, emergence and beach surveys as well as other biological data on turtles.
This dataset has all icons for Multilateral Environment Agreements such as SDGs and Aichi
The dataset contains a range of different Pacific regional maps developed by the SPREP GIS team and is available for use by members and partners.
This report contributes preliminary results for a study of the genomic diversity and population connectivity of paua (small giant clam, Tridacna maxima) in the Cook Islands.
Islands used in this study include Manihiki, Palmerston, Aitutaki, Manuae, Takutea, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke, Rarotonga and Mangaia.
This research was commissioned by the Ministry of Marine Resources.
A nearshore marine assessment of Atiu and Takutea prepared by MMR for Atiu Island Council and Community. The survey in Atiu took place from the 21st to 30th of May 2018 at ten field sites around the island. The survey in Takutea took place on the 24th and 25th of May of 2018 at four sites around the island. Survey sites were selected to include any existing rā’ui and nearby control areas (unregulated areas open to harvest). Finfish, invertebrates and substrate data were collected at each field site on both islands using SCUBA transects in 10 m of water on the fore reef slope.
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
Mangaia is the only inhabited island in the Southern Cooks where our data show the ra’ui system of traditional marine resources management is actively functioning and allowing species to recover between harvests. This is an accomplishment that should give the local resource managers (Mangaia Island Council and Traditional Leaders) great pride. Furthermore, the willingness to adopt new management strategies (e.g. by initiating permanent ra’ui sites) shows a continued drive to enhance ecosystem health for the benefit of nearshore species and local communities.
A nearshore marine assessment of Atiu and Takutea prepared by MMR for Atiu Island Council and Community. The survey in Atiu took place from the 21st to 30th of May 2018 at ten field sites around the island. The survey in Takutea took place on the 24th and 25th of May of 2018 at four sites around the island. Survey sites were selected to include any existing rā’ui and nearby control areas (unregulated areas open to harvest). Finfish, invertebrates and substrate data were collected at each field site on both islands using SCUBA transects in 10 m of water on the fore reef slope.
Executive Summary
This report is presented in 4 chapters.
Chapter 1 provides background on the process of developing the Cook Island
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The Cook Islands was one
of the first countries to commit to the CBD by signing it at the Earth Summit in 1992,
and the Cook Island National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was
one of the first to be completed for the Pacific Region. This in itself was a positive
step towards implementation of the CBD. The NBSAP was prepared based on
Cook Islands country report: Profiles and results from survey work at Aitutaki, Palmerston, Mangaia and Rarotonga
Envisions “To tatou Marae Moana - akatapuia, akonoia, taangaangaia ma te akamanako, ei urunga no to tatou ra manava e to te uki ki mua”. “Our Marae Moana - our nourishing source of life; respected, cared for and used wisely, today and for generations to come.” It purposes to conserve biodiversity and natural assets in the oceans, reefs and islands while ensuring sustainable development of economic growth interests.
2ND MONITORING SURVEY OF THE RAROTONGA RAUI 2000
3RD MONITORING SURVEY OF THE RAROTONGA RA’UI 2002