Summary table of the status of Pacific Island countries in relation to International and Regional conventions.
This publication features fourteen (14) case studies from small island developing states from the Caribbean,
the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. The stories range from conserving marine resources
and endangered species to initiatives in ecotourism, reforestation and network development.
This paper highlights the seriousness of the “biodiversity crisis” on atolls and the need to place greater research and conservation emphasis on atolls and other small island ecosystems. It is based on studies over the past twenty years conducted in the atolls of Tuvalu, Tokelau, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. It stresses that atolls offer some of the greatest opportunities for integrated studies of simplified small-island ecosystems.
This guide introduces environmental indicators and provides an overview of SPREP’S core indicators for Pacific island countries. In 2012, the SPREP members approved the development of a set of standardised indicators for use by member countries at the SPREP meeting. Through the Inform project, SPREP programmes then developed a set of 34 indicators that was endorsed by members at the 2018 SPREP meeting. This document explains the development and use of environmental indicators in Part 1 and provides a summary of each of the 34 ‘core’ indicators in Part 2.
The Strandings of Oceania database is a collaborative project between SPREP, WildMe and the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium to record stranding and beachcast data for whales, dolphins and dugongs throughout the Pacific. We use a platform called Flukebook. An account is needed to view or use data within Flukebook but the data is available for download here. You can submit data direct into Flukebook (preferably while logged in) or send a completed data form to SPREP for upload. Guidance on using the database is available :
Circular 21/150
Inform Plus proposed 5 pillars
- Component 1: Environmental Governance
- Component 2: Monitoring and field data collection for environmental standards and standardised environmental indicators
- Component 3: Data management utilising the Pacific Island Network Portal (PEP). Production of information products for decision makers based on existing data sets.
- Component 4: Enhance and expand GIS use for data collection, analysis and presentation to inform decision makers
Species assessments of the Kakerori (Rarotonga Flycatcher, Pomarea dimidiata), present in both Rarotonga and Atiu.
A survey of finfish, invertebrates and substrate in Aitutaki & Manuae from September to November 2017.
The CKI OECM Workshop Report consolidates the discussions, outcomes, recommendations and next steps following the Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures Workshop, hosted by the National Environment Service, in partnership with Secretariat of Pacific Regional Environment Program and the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, on the 24th - 25th January 2023 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
Official project document for the Cook Islands national project under GEF-7 programming, project title: Enhancing Biodiversity considerations and effective protected area management to safeguard the Cook Islands integrated ecosystems and species. Annexes not included.
All materials related to the GEF 8 National Dialogue, hosted by the National Environment Service with support from the GEF Secretariat at Edgewater Resort on the 19th & 20th April 2023, including the presentation slides, report and activity sheets will be hosted here.
Reports and data from the Cook Islands GEF-5 Ridge to Reef project
The National Environment Service issues permits for the export of CITES species out of the Cook Islands. CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
This report provides information on permits issued by the NES in 2022.
The Palmerston rat eradication program ran from August-September 2023. NZ Department of Conservation's Emmanuel Oyston, field team leader of the eradication, sent weekly updates on their progress - their updates are available here.
The National Environment Service (NES) herein reports on its activities and performance for the financial year period 2022-23.
The National Environment Service is working closely with family representatives of the Takitumu Conservation Area, to submit an assessment application that will give the TCA official international recognition as an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure.
All documents relevant to the submission process will be stored here, including resources on the TCA, which are referred to in the assessment form.
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 Global Mangrove Watch (GMW) is a collaboration between Aberystwyth University (U.K.), solo Earth Observation (soloEO; Japan), Wetlands International the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).