News 5 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 4 from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

The 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation Conference and Protected Areas is hosted by the Government of Fiji in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the Pacific Island Roundtable for Nature Conservation and IUCN Oceania. This media coverage is a partnership supported by the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS), SPREP, University of the South Pacific (USP), Fiji National University (FNU) and the Pacific Island News Association (PINA). Prime Minister pledges support for conservation

5 December 2013 - Suva, Fiji

ook Islands Prime Minister Hon. Sol- Henry Puna addressed delegates at omon Is- Cthe 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas lands in Suva, Fiji today. As a keynote speaker for makes the event he provided an overview of the successful nature conservation activities land- in the Cook Islands. He expressed the importance of mark political will to help drive the planning commit- and implementation of conservation initiatives, but also stressed the onus is ment to upon us as individuals. “Action must come alive at the sharks individual level through work and everyday living,” Prime Minister Puna said. “At the country level our developmentBy policies should aim at promoting an inclusive green-based economy which Cook Islands Prime Minister Hon. Henry Puna addressing the 9th Pacific Islands Conference will strengthen human well-being, social on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in Suva today. equality and environment sustainability. “This is why we need to urgently been established, World Heritage Sites have made headlines everywhere. change our lifestyles to accomplish high have been declared to protect our natural “We are accomplishing a great deal human development within the carrying surroundings and actions have been under in our part of the world but often times capacity of nature. This is within our way to strengthen dying endemic species. that goes unrecognised or downplayed in control.” As well, Pacific regional declarations the broader spectrum of global concerns. He said the Pacific region has much have been endorsed by Pacific leaders And we should put that right and say to celebrate in terms of its Nature to protect our islands and their natural something about it. Conservation work. environment and the formation of the “We can lead by example no matter Marine Parks and Protected Areas Pacific Island Roundtable for Nature what our size, no matter how our political across countries and sub-regions have Conservation an alliance of environment clout may be measured by others.” stakeholders that work together to Prime Minister Puna ended his speech strengthen nature conservation is a by encouraging delegates to conclude the successful working body. largest Pacific island gathering on Nature “Our examples of cooperation and Conservation with actions. initiatives to conserve, protect, and sustain, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 PAGE 2 5 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 4 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Solomon Islands makes landmark commitment on sharks

Ms. Agnetha Vae-Karamui, second from left, of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment at the announcement of Solomon Islands’ commitment to shark conservation.

By Justine Mannan said. they don’t know what is going on with Journalism student at FNU They recognise the role sharks play in sharks but today they want to make a the marine ecosystem. commitment to find out much more about he Solomon Islands Government “The important role that sharks play these creatures” Mr. Campbell said. took a major step forward at the 9th in the ocean environment helps keep Mr. Campbell added: “Even though TPacific Islands Conference on Nature marine ecosystems in balance. The marine Conservation and Protected Areas, by ecosystem is really important in sustaining people know about sharks, they do not announcing their commitment to shark the livelihood and food security of more really know anything about them in terms conservation in the country. than 4000 coastal communities in the of details and data. These iconic species are Ms. Agnetha Vave-Karamui, of the Solomon Islands,” Ms. Vave-Karamui said. not just important to marine ecosystems Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Mr. Ian Campbell, the Global Shark but also to indigenous people around the Disaster Management and Meteorology Manager for the World Wildlife Fund Pacific.” (MECDM) in the Solomons, announced (WWF), said he was excited the Solomon the commitment made by the Solomon Islands was taking matters into their own Justine Mannan is a member of the Media Team Islands’ Government. hands and realising the importance of providing coverage of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference “To achieve this commitment, we need sharks in their waters. on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from 2 to to better understand and appreciate the “We are very excited that the Solomon 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership between value of sharks in our waters and will work Islands are actually putting some actions the Fiji National University (FNU), University of the towards a national plan of action and a where their words are with regards to South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 journalism comprehensive management plan for the shark conservation in the Pacific region as students are mentored by senior reporters as they cover sustainable utilisation of shark resources a whole, the Solomon Islands government the conference. This activity is funded by the Pacific in the Solomon Islands,” Ms. Vave-Karamui recognises that even in their own waters Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS). 5 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 4 PAGE 3 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

High level delegates pledge action 5 December 2013 - Suva, Fiji

he High Level Segment of the 9th TPacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas opened today in Suva, Fiji. Hosted by the Government of Fiji, Pacific Leaders, Environment ministers and invited guests took part in a special session to deliberate on 10 key actions to improve conservation, reduce further degradation, and increase investment in biodiversity. This high level commitment to 10 key actions will be presented to the closing gathering of the Nature Conservation and Protected Areas conference which tomorrow.

Cook Islands Cook Islands PM lends support to Pacific nature conservation

FROM PAGE ONE

Over 700 delegates from throughout the Pacific region have Fiji come together in Suva, Fiji to develop a joint action strategy for Nature Conservation for the next five years. “We need an action-orientated way forward that will allow us to achieve what is best for our environment, for us and on our own terms. “We need progressive actions in marine and ocean management; ridge to reef development management, climate change and minimising its impacts; revitalistion of native flora and fauna; elimination of invasive species; capacity building; sustainable financing and advocating for a change in mind-sets, attitudes, behaviours towards conservation that creates buy-in and ownership; I guarantee you as a Pacific Leader you will have my support.” Tonga New Caledonia PAGE 4 5 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 4 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas How Ms. Thomas fell in love with nature By Maryann Lockington Journalism student at USP

young woman in a smart green dress A- or jaba - stood before hundreds of people at the Vodafone Arena and opened her presentation in her indigenous Fijian (iTaukei) language with an introduction of herself. Ms. Nunia Thomas hails from Drauniivi in Ra and in her introduction she identified her clan and family animal totem. Then she addressed the rest of the room in English to translate her introduction. Acknowledging her cultural identity and mentors before passionately advocating the importance of the environment and biodiversity is a trademark of Ms Thomas. The 32-year-old is the director of Fijian conservation group Nature Fiji-Mareqeti Viti. She completed post-graduate studies at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in 2007 and is now one of Fiji’s leading herpetologists. Ironically, Ms. Thomas talks about her path to her present work as an accident and blessing. Ms. Thomas is the middle child of five Ms Nunia Thomas of Nature Fiji-Mareqeti Viti. siblings of the late Mr. Saimoni Aca Thomas and Mrs. Mereseini Thomas. program me at USP but because of limited papers. Ms. Thomas described her late father space, she had to consider the only other Her message to young people is listen as a feminist who encouraged her to be option - environmental science. to the advice of parents and mentors a strong and independent woman. She “I looked at it and I thought okay, I’ll before making a decision. Ms. Thomas go into environmental science and I did. described her parents as her mentors and said she has had many challenges on her advisors. It was geography and biology and I fell in journey but she was taught by her parents Ms. Thomas had a keen interest in love with geography right then and there,” to view the challenges as an opportunity. language, literature and law but followed she said. her parents’ advice to pursue science. Thomas said her main inspiration She hopes in the future, she could work “I was naturally interested in science were her lecturers and professors and the with children and instil values in young anyway so I kept at it but at university level friends she made within the programme. people to have a better appreciation of I wanted to do law,” she said. “I initially was Ms. Thomas graduated in 2002 and their culture and nature. going to disobey my parents’ advice.” became a graduate assistant at USP’s Ms. Thomas is a former student of St. South Pacific Regional Herbarium. She Maryann Lockington is a member of the Media Team Joseph’s Secondary School and at school, then secured a scholarship to go into post- providing coverage of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from 2 to her English teacher, Mrs. Luvena was her graduate studies and was approached in 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership between mentor. After leaving high school she met 2007 by Mr Dick Watling to join Nature the Fiji National University (FNU), University of the her Mrs. Luvena on a bus, who advised her Fiji-Mareqeti Viti. After graduation, she South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific Islands News to pursue science. joined Nature Fiji-Mareqeti Viti as their first Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 journalism students are mentored by senior reporters as they cover After high school, Ms. Thomas applied recruit and since then has been involved in the conference. This activity is funded by the Pacific for admission to the biology and chemistry various projects and preparing of research Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS). 5 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 4 PAGE 5 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

The endemic Cook Islands bird kakerori also known as the Rarotonga Flycatcher and Rarotonga Monarch. Photo: Dave Sargeant. Kakerori return testament to conservation efforts

By Eroni Tuinaceva SPREP and local land owners formed “So government in partnership with Journalism student at FNU a partnership to establish 2.6 square this family fenced off an area and built kilometres of the Takitumu Protected Area the capacity of the family to undertake prominent bird species endemic to to give the kakerori a chance to survive,” the rat eradication process. The long term A Rarotonga has come back from the Mr. Puna elaborated. plan was that government would start off brink of extinction to re-establish itself in The number of kakerori eventually the project and then pass it over to the the Cook Islands’ biodiversity. The Prime replenished from 209 in 2001 to 330 community and then finally the family Minister of the Cook Islands, the Hon. in 2009. The programme is today self- would take it over,” Mr. Brider explained. Henry Puna highlighted the Rarotonga sustained through generated income from fly catcher or Kakerori revival during his guided tours. The success of this project has allowed address to the delegates attending the 9th “The success of the programme is due for the Environment Service to focus Pacific nature conservation conference. to good partnerships built on the belief on other biodiversity work requiring “Over the years, the Cook Islands that the kakerori needed to be saved attention. has succeeded in re-establishing bird and the generosity of the landowners in “We don’t think the current protected populations in the Outer Islands and establishing the protected areas,” Mr. Puna area can sustain large populations but Rarotonga. One such success is the story of The Prime Minister also believes the that’s not to say that birds can’t leave the the Kakerori – the endemic Rarotonga fly kakerori is a testament to successful protected areas. The populations are quite catcher,” Prime Minister Puna said. local leadership of protected areas and stable so we’re not seeing it as a priority at Mr. Puna recounted at the conference commended the President of Te Ipukarea the moment,” Mr. Brider added. how, in 1989, with only 29 individual Society Mr. Ian Karika for spearheading kakerori were left, the species was the kakerori initiative as well as his Eroni Tuinaceva is a member of the Media Team predicted to be extinct by 1999 if no achievement at the Pacific Islands providing coverage of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference actions were taken. The alarmingly small Environment Leadership Awards. on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from 2 to 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership between number of kakerori left also saw it listed as Adding to the Prime Minister’s remarks the Fiji National University (FNU), University of the critically endangered on the IUCN Red List was the Deputy Director for the National South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific Islands News that year. Environment Service of the Cook Islands Mr. Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 journalism students are mentored by senior reporters as they cover “As a result of this, the Cook Islands Joseph Brider. He explained in further detail the conference. This activity is funded by the Pacific Government, Government, the background of the kakerori project. Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS). PAGE 6 5 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 4 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Pacific cetacean strandings website to go live

By Edward Tavanavanua Journalism student at USP

ceania’s first stranding online Odatabase for whales, dolphins, and porpoises will be launched at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas this week. Stranding is the phenomenon in which these sea creatures, collectively known as cetaceans, are beached on the shore, either dead or alive, and are in need of rescue. The website, http://www. Pacific Islands ecosystem apodstrandings.org to be launched is aimed at increasing and developing the local documentation of cetacean report launched strandings throughout Oceania, said Mr. Michael Donoghue, SPREP’s advisor on threatened and migratory species. By Wati Talebula attempt to identify guiding principles for “So far we’ve relied on environment Journalism student at FNU International Ecosystem Management in staff or fisheries or NGOs to send in bits of the Pacific. paper,” he said. review copy of a report on ecosystem The project was implemented “This [website] enables a place that management in the region was A through SPREP with funds from UNEP has got Internet access to report promptly, released at the 9th Pacific Islands and the Australian Government’s AusAid and we’re hoping to get a lot more reports Conference on Nature Conservation and on whale and dolphin strandings.” Protected Areas in Suva this week. programme, via the International Climate The website would be a service for Titled ‘Pacific Island EcosystemChange Adaptation Initiative. SPREP member countries and would help Management: Principles, Case Studies raise awareness in shoreline communities and Lessons Learned’, a pre-print edition Wati Talebula and Edward Tavanavanua are members was released by the Secretariat of the of the Media Team providing coverage of the 9th about the extent of strandings in the Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and region. Pacific Regional Environment Programme Protected Areas from 2 to 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is Mr. Donoghue said a simple online (SPREP). a partnership between the Fiji National University (FNU), form would be available on the website Case studies include those from University of the South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific projects in Micronesia, Melanesia and Islands News Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 for stranding respondents to fill. journalism students are mentored by senior reporters as He said he was hopeful that the Polynesia. they cover the conference. This activity is funded by the database, which could also be exported This report results from a complete Pacific Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS). to Google Earth or other geographic information systems, would result in the collation of more photographic documentation. Visit Us The database would be searchable, and this would facilitate ease of access ■■www.sprep.org to the information, Mr. Donoghue said. He added that the system would also ■■www.facebook.com/SPREP.PEIN encourage respondents to take skin ■@SprepChannel samples of the stranded cetaceans. ■ However, he clarified that samples ■■www.bionesian.blogspot.com would only be processed if they were suspected to be from a rare or unknown species. 5 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 4 PAGE 7 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Communities ‘need strengthening’ to manage resources By Carolyn Kitione Journalism student at USP

eople must be given the chance to Pmanage their own resources and earn the income they need. Those were the remarks made by the Premier of Choiseul Province in the Solomon Islands, Mr. Jackson Kiloe, at the panel discussion on community resilience this week. Premier Kiloe said it was important to focus on the ability of the local people to control and shape their economies and The Premier of Choiseul Province in the Solomon Islands, Mr. Jackson Kiloe. environment. “We must accept the fact that we our communities’ ability to control governmental organisations work under rely on our land and sea ecosystems for and shape their own economy and a single programme to attain a common our livelihoods and our wellbeing and environment and enable us to build our goal of community resilience. understand that the impacts of climate own communities - not just handouts from Premier Kiloe said that although the change will put more pressure on this in politicians,” he said. programme was still in its early stages, the future,” he said. “Unfortunately, development and they had already started working with Premier Kiloe said the ability to engage donor assistance has tended to create communities for a more “community-led” with the private sector and churches communities that are more reliant on approach. needed to be strengthened and that outside assistance rather than solving our people needed to understand their legal own problems like we did in the past.” “By tapping into old methods of rights on their land. Under his leadership, an integrated adapting to climate variability and That, he said, would improve approach to climate change is being introducing new technology we are trying governance and strengthen communities. implemented, where different government to build solid communities for the future,” “Our governments need to strengthen ministries, development partners and non- he said. Study shows signs of ’s healing

By Carolyn Kitione reef health specialist, said Nauru’s reef years,” he said. Journalism student at USP biodiversity appeared to support this. “I’ve never been in a situation like this Ms McKenna said while the reefs in before; I’m just so disturbed.” ope remains for Nauru despite the Nauru had not been extensively explored, The conference heard that 70 per cent Hdamage caused by phosphate mining most areas of the coral reef were still of the land was uninhabitable and the that has destroyed about 80 per cent of the healthy. biodiversity of the island was severely island’s environment. “There is a good chance that there affected by decades of phosphate mining. In a video presentation at the 9th is some endemism here of species only Nauru is dominated by a central Pacific Islands Conference on Nature found here because you’re isolated in the phosphate plateau and is surrounded by Conservation and Protected Areas, Nauru’s middle of the deep ocean,” she said. coral reefs, ringed by wind-swept coconut delegates said research had established The land survey by the research team trees and sandy beaches. that the island’s ecosystem would be able also showed the landscape was gradually to survive despite the strain from the strip healing from reforestation. Carolyn Kitione is a member of the Media Team providing coverage of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference mining. Botanist and ecosystems specialist on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from 2 to The research was conducted by Professor Art Wheeler said in the video 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership between the Fiji National University (FNU), University of the a team of scientists, led by Mr. Bruce he was disturbed by the damage to the South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific Islands News Jefferies, SPREP’s Terrestrial Ecosystems ecosystem through mining. Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 journalism students are mentored by senior reporters as they cover Management Officer. “This is a very interesting place because the conference. This activity is funded by the Pacific In the video, Dr Sheila McKenna, a coral there had been so much damage over the Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS). PAGE 8 5 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 4 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Fiji conservation project praised

By Wati Talebula the award. Journalism student from FNU “There were 15 participants and I wasn’t expecting that much forest conservation project in but it was interesting to know A Drawa, Vanua Levu in Fiji was that some people still care about given a public commendation for our ecosystem,” he said. its success in preventing loggers The award was presented by from cutting down forests, during Mr. David Sheppard, the Director- an award ceremony for Pacific General of the Secretariat of the environmentalists this week. Pacific Regional Environment Live and Learn Environmental Programme (SPREP) during the Education received a 9th Pacific Islands Conference on commendation for Excellence in Nature Conservation in Suva. Ecosystem Management for its work in the communities in Bua “Community ownership is Province. one of the keys to successful After Live and Learn’s ecosystem management,” said awareness projects, a logging Mr. Sheppard. concession to a major Fijian “While we have one award to company was cancelled. Ms Salanieta Vunimoli receives the award on behalf of Live and present, there are conservation From an initial focus on Learn Environmental Education. efforts from many that can be sustainable logging, there has celebrated. These are captured been a more recent shift in our young people.” in the report - Pacific Island emphasis to forest conservation and They were recognised for the REDD+ Ecosystem Management Principles, case management in the Drawa block. The Forest Conservation Project at Drawa, Bua studies and lessons learned that we have project promotes sustainable, adaptive in Vanua Levu as the Best Practise Case launched here today.” forest management. study in Pacific Sustainable Management. The Live and Learn project came out Wati Talebula is a member of the Media Team providing Ms Salanieta Vunimoli, receiving the coverage of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on award on behalf of the organisation, on top of 14 other entries from around the Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from 2 to 6 said she was happy to get the because Pacific. December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership between the Fiji National University (FNU), University of the the environment provided hope for the Mr. Jerker Tamalander, UNEP Pacific South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific Islands News younger generation. Islands Ecosystem Management Case Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 journalism students are mentored by senior reporters as they cover “Let us ensure that our fruitful land and Studies project coordinator said there the conference. This activity is funded by the Pacific bountiful seas be our beacon of hope to were more entries then he expected for Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS). Key bird species at risk in Nauru

By Eroni Tuinaceva, journalism student to coral reefs, invertebrate species and recorded severe loss in plant life caused by at FNU general fish biodiversity,” Mr. Appi said. industrial activity. Two important bird species were “Most of the plant species are found rapid assessment survey of Nauru’s revealed in the survey to be at risk of dying along the coastal areas. Unfortunately, A marine and terrestrial biodiversity out. due to years of mining we have deforested has identified two key bird species that “One of the key things we wanted to a lot of places. However, the Nauru are threatened, one of which is at risk of look at was the endemic Reef Warbler and Rehabilitation Corporation (NRC) is trying extinction. the Black Noddy,” Mr. Appi said. its best to recover the lands,” he revealed. Nauru’s integrated biodiversity project “The black noddy is a key source of Mr. Appi added that the government coordinator Mr. Asterio Appi presented protein for the islanders and apparently it’s of Nauru is working closely with the the findings of the biodiversity rapid been over-harvested for many years now. NRC and the fisheries department to assessment survey to delegates at the So we want to put recovery plans into place identify key biodiversity areas and discuss Pacific Islands Conference on Nature but in the event there isn’t a need for such conservation and protected areas. The Conservation and Protected Areas, in Suva. measures, we’ll have to look at awareness fisheries department further collaborated “We brought in a group of marine and programs in the community as well as with marine scientists to conduct a terrestrial scientific experts who surveyed monitor harvests,” Mr. Appi explained. comprehensive survey on the fish everything from insects, plants and birds Regarding the island flora, the survey biodiversity.