The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is the most comprehensive global database of marine and terrestrial protected areas, updated on a monthly basis, and is one of the key global biodiversity data sets being widely used by scientists, businesses, governments, International secretariats and others to inform planning, policy decisions and management.
Reefs at Risk Revisited is a high-resolution update of the original global analysis, Reefs at Risk: A Map-Based Indicator of Threats to the World’s Coral Reefs. Reefs at Risk Revisited uses a global map of coral reefs at 500-m resolution, which is 64 times more detailed than the 4-km resolution map used in the 1998 analysis, and benefits from improvements in many global data sets used to evaluate threats to reefs (most threat data are at 1 km resolution, which is 16 times more detailed than those used in the 1998 analysis).
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.
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.
pdf of the Cook Islands 4th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity 2011
Data on reef fish, sea urchin, sea urchin density and biomass
Reports lagoon water quality includes on physio-chemical data
Offshore Environment Tuna, Sharks and other targeted species Cook Islands
Traditional Fishing Methods Cook Islands 2012
Contains census data reporting on the status of agriculture and fisheries in Cook Islands
Consists of water quality reports for Cook Islands
WATER SAFETY PLAN WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM DESCRIPTION COOK ISLANDS 2006
National Water, Sanitation and Climate Outlook
Cook Islands Sanitation and National Water Policy
2020 National Vision “To enjoy the highest quality of life consistent with the aspirations of our people, and in harmony with our culture and environment”
The 2018 State of Environment (SOE) Report for Cook Islands updates the 1993 SOE report, and uses the Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact and Response (DPSIR) model of reporting.
This publication ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment – Guidelines for Pacific Island Countries and
Territories’ has been prepared to provide guidance on the application of SEA as a tool to support
environmental planning, policy and informed decision making. It provides background on the use and
benefits of SEA as well as providing tips and guiding steps on the process, including case studies, toolkits
and checklists for conducting an SEA in the Appendices.