News 2 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 1 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 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). Fiji President calls for ‘new culture’ of conservation to conservation and sustainable development and the daily observance of it in all our lives. Do not use our pristine environment as a rubbish dump.” Epeli reminded the participants of the uniqueness of the Pacific Islands’ common identity and challenged them to make the most of it. The five-yearly regional conservation conference brings together government representatives, NGOs, development partners, international organisations and individual communities from through the Pacific. The President also shared Fiji’s hopes

PHOTO: NANETTE WOONTON PHOTO: to see that “grand coalition” broadened Fiji’s President His , Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, in garland, with Attorney-General and and strengthened to include more Acting Environment Minister Hon Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Minister of Works Hon Timoci representatives of the corporate sector. Natuva. “We are convinced that only through an By WATI TALEBULA 2013 there was a need for a revolution in effective public and private partnership as Second year journalism student at FNU personal attitudes. well as a holistic approach to conservation, “For too long, Pacific peoples have can we tackle the complex challenges now iji’s President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau embraced one of the worst facets of before us,” Ratu Epeli said. believes the Pacific needs to bring western consumerism - the culture of the He urged everyone to put away their Fordinary people into its conservation throwaway package,” Ratu Epeli said. differences and work together. efforts to overcome “the culture of the “Our villages, towns and cities are “It is high time for the world to put throwaway package” strewn with litter, our beaches with plastic aside the differences and embrace the Ratu Epeli told delegates gathered bottles and plastic bags, and other non- binding targets to dramatically reduce for the opening of the 9th Pacific Islands biodegradable containers of every kind,” carbon emissions. At the very least, it is the Conference on Nature Conservation and Ratu Epeli said. prudent thing to do.” Protected Areas in on December 2, “We can blame the manufacturers Ms Wati Talebula is a member of the media team for packaging their products in these providing coverage of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference containers in the first place. But the on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas from 2 - 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership between responsibility for disposing of them the Fiji National University, University of the South properly is solely our own – all of us. Pacific and SPREP whereby a team of 10 journalism students are mentored by senior reporters as they cover “We need to inculcate a new culture in the conference. This activity is funded by the Pacific the Pacific, one of personal commitment Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS). PAGE 2 2 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 1 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Dr Flannery tells of ‘critical decade’ By Shahani Mala change our children and grandchildren power in Brisbane and Ipswich. Journalism student at FNU experience,” Dr Flannery added. Major bush fires in Australia is also The director of the Australian Climate being attributed in part to climate change. world renowned scientist has told Council shared evidence on how climate “Climate change exacerbates bushfire Aa Pacific Island gathering on nature change was having an impact in Australia. conservation in Suva, Fiji that the evidence “The hottest month recorded for conditions by increasing the frequency of of climate change is overwhelming and Australia was on 7 January 2013,” said very hot days,” Dr Flannery sai. clear and that this was the critical decade Dr Flannery during his presentation this He provided evidence that between to take decisive action. morning. 1973 and 2010 the Forest Fire Danger Dr Tim Flannery says we are already The average daily maximum Index increased significantly at 16 of 38 seeing the social, economic and temperature for the whole of Australia environmental impacts of a changing was over 39 degrees Celsius for seven weather stations across Australia, mostly climate. consecutive days from the 2-8 January in the southeast. None of the stations In his presentation to the Pacific Islands 2013, Flannery noted. showed a significant decrease. Conference on Nature Conservation and He said severe heatwaves occurred “Projected increases in hot days across Protected Areas, Dr Flannery said “it is across 70 per cent of Australia in late Australia, and in dry conditions in the beyond reasonable doubt that the burning December 2012 and early January 2013. of fossil fuels is the primary cause”. Dr Flannery made reference to the southwest and southeast, will very likely “Decisions we make from now to 2020 floods in Queensland in December 2010, lead to more days with extreme fire danger will determine the severity of climate where 300,000 homes and businesses lost in those regions,” Dr Flannery said. Fiji takes People at the forefront of nature conservation Visit Us over as ■■www.sprep.org ■■www.facebook.com/SPREP.PEIN chair ■■@SprepChannel ■■www.bionesian.blogspot.com

By Priya Chand Second-year journalism student at USP

THE Fiji Government has expressed its “absolute commitment” to help tackle the challenges of protecting the environment. Mr Tuinaceva and a colleague Acting Environment Minister at work. and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum said Fiji accepted its role MY THOUGHTS It has been quite enriching working today as chair of the 9th Pacific Island Personal perspective by Mr Eroni with other budding journalists from USP Conference on Nature Conservation Tuinaceva, a journalism student of the as well as working journalists who have Protected Areas with humility and Fiji National University. all been incredibly helpful and inspiring pride. at the same time. He said it was the government’s oday marked the launch of a week- I look forward to working with obligation first to serve its own people, Tlong effort to continue the uphill everyone over the next few days, growing to empower them through a host of battle against global warming and its in my profession and establishing a policies. associated problems. lifelong network of colleagues and, “That service extends to our The speeches were a particular hopefully, also friends. commitment to work with all of highlight as they reflected the message Lastly, the conference has presented you to tackle and resolve the great that people need to be at the forefront an array of opportunities to broaden one’s environmental challenges we all of nature conservation if natural resource knowledge of all things environment and face as we struggle to protect our are to remain sustainable into the future. will certainly build my capacity to cover surroundings.” On a more personal note, today also environment-related stories with more Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also thanked marked the first time for me to be involved understanding and clarity, particularly Papua New Guinea for its role as the in an inter-tertiary, inter-organisational when dealing with those tricky acronyms conference’s previous chair. media team covering a major event. and environmental jargon. 2 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 1 PAGE 3 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Biggest Pacific Nature Conservation Gathering

FROM FACEBOOK Visit Us The 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas is now underway ■■www.sprep.org in Suva, Fiji from 2 - 6 December. Hosted by the Government of Fiji in partnership with the Pacific ■■www.facebook.com/SPREP.PEIN Island Roundtable for Nature Conservation, SPREP and IUCN Oceania. It is held every 4 - 5 years. ■■@SprepChannel Below are photos from the opening day’s events. Photos: SPREP ■■www.bionesian.blogspot.com For more information on the conference please visit: http://www.sprep.org/pacificnatureconference

Registration and paying of fees. Cook Islanders at the conference, These two were in high spirits as Joseph Brider, Teina MacKenzie the conference bags lined up to be and Audrey Brown-Pereira. distributed.

Over 700 people have registered for the conference. Delegates ready for the first day.

Conference packs are handed out.

A huge pig and a kava plant were presented to the Fijian President. Conservation International and SPREP gather before the meeting starts.

Journalists and photographers out in force.

Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau Fijian soldiers performed the traditional Participants listen intently during the drinks a bowl of kava during the opening. ceremony of welcome. opening ceremony. PAGE 4 2 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 1 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Marine focus vital for action plan: Mr Sheppard

By Justine Mannan Journalism student at FNU

new action strategy for conservation Ain the Pacific to be developed at the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in Suva should focus on terrestrial and coastal marine and ocean issues, says the Director-General of SPREP, David Sheppard. In presenting a review of the previous action strategy, Mr Sheppard said a better focus on marine issues was important since the region comprises 30,000 islands with 98 per cent of the area covered in water. “Some species such as the big eyed tuna are increasingly threatened and key species Fijian President His Execellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau speaking during the opening. such as sea turtles. I think the leather back turtle, in fact, went up a category of threat in the IUCN red list which was released three weeks ago,” Mr Sheppard said. Fiji steps up conservation efforts He added in order to protect marine resources, it is important that communities By CAROLYN KITIONE example of the benefits from working come together, from grassroots level to help Journalism student with the private sector. protect marine species. University of the South Pacific He said efforts to empower local “In our region as we know, virtually all land, communities have continued although is owned under community ownership, land iji is committed to stepping up its the overall picture had become bleak. and marine resources and the people have work in conserving and protecting its The President said the Pacific was F the experience of many of thousands of years natural resources, said Fijian President baffled by the global community’s of living sustainably with their environment.” Ratu Epeli Nailatikau when opening the “seemingly endless debate” and Mr Sheppard added: “Any conservation 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature indecisiveness on climate change, while programmes must be implemented with and Conservation and Protected Areas this the the region’s existence comes under through local communities.” morning. direct threat. Mr Sheppard suggested retaining the Ratu Epeli said Fiji had put in place Ratu Epeli said Fiji was conscious of mission, visions and goals of the previous a range of initiatives to encourage a the need to make climate change “our Action Strategy because they were still “cultural transformation that could well number one environmental priority.” considered valid for the next five years. be emulated by other Pacific nations.” Ratu Epeli told delegates: “We However, it was up to participants to decide “We now have zero-rated duty on have to confront the fact that however while reviewing progress. biodegradable plastic, zero duty on much control we can exercise over our The Action Strategy is significant because portable sewage treatment plants and immediate environments as Pacific it provides a regional framework for the zero duty on water desalination plants islanders, there are much bigger forces conservation which guides the Pacific Island for use in areas where fresh water is at work that are beyond our control. countries and territories, the donors, NGOs scarce,” Ratu Epeli said. “They require a global response and regional organisations. “One of our manufacturers sells and unfortunately the world is not water in a plastic bottle that completely responding adequately enough.” Justine Mannan is a student at the Fiji National University and a member of the Media Team providing coverage of dissolves within 12 months. The conference theme is “Natural the Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and “Just imagine the transformation of Solutions: Building Solutions for a Protected Areas from 2 to 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership between the Fiji National University (FNU), our surroundings if every plastic bottle Changing Pacific”. University of the South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific strewn around the Pacific could be gone “At this conference we need to build Islands News Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 journalism students are mentored by senior reporters as in a year.” on our successes thus far with a renewed they cover the conference. This activity is funded by the This, said Ratu Epeli, was an excellent commitment to do better – much better.” Pacific Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS). 2 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 1 PAGE 5 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Dr Thaman highlights forgotten ecosystems By Eroni Tuinaceva Journalism student at FNU

elegates attending the 9th Pacific DIslands Nature Conservation Conference raised their concerns following a presentation by SPREP’s Director-General David Sheppard on the review of the Pacific Islands Action Strategy for Nature Conservation. Professor Randy Thaman, an academic and conservationist at the University of the South Pacific, in particular raised three key concerns he believed would need to be implemented in the next five-year strategy plan. “We talk about ridge to reef, but we have left out agricultural ecosystems,” Professor Thaman told delegates. “For many of our countries, they have the most useful biodiversity and are the foundation for livelihood, stability and security against Professor Randy Thaman recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for the inaugural climate change.” Pacific Islands Environment Lifetime Achievement Awards He highlighted the unrealised diversity of agricultural and agroforestry ecosystems more threatened than mangroves in many biodiversity and ecosystems are protected, and the dangers they face on a number of places. But they’re hard to map because and we need to look in to that,” he said. fronts. they’re little strips or strands.” “They are more threatened by Professor Thaman added his concern Professor Thaman also discussed an monoculture, invasive species and for the loss of ethno-biodiversity. innovative biodiversity assessment carried reclamation compared to competition “One of the most threatened parts of out in Japan that could serve as a model for from other ecosystems,” Professor Thaman biodiversity is traditional knowledge about future studies. said. it. Very few people, except older men and He also spoke on the need to better “This study being done by the Japanese women, know that and if we don’t capture track neglected coastal literal forests. is called Sato Umi, which consists of the “No one has mentioned coastal literal traditional village, tree lines, agricultural that and marry it with modern science and forests, which are along beaches and systems, vegetable gardens, the forest and taxonomy, then we won’t know what we’re inside of mangroves. Those species are coastal areas. This is where much of their protecting,” Professor Thaman said. Rat eradication programme works in Cook Islands By Josephine Navula was first conducted in 2002 on the Island feed on that too, but it was for the short- Journalism student at FNU of Suwarrow. The Island had nine per cent term period only. But it won’t kill a lot of of lesser frigate bird and three percent of birds like the rats, and they usually come conservation initiative in the Cook the world’s trailed tropic bird. out at night when no one can see them,” Islands has succeeded in protecting “Our environment officers did a A he said. the country’s birdlife. baseline monitoring of the islands that Elizabeth Munro, Cook Island’s have the presence of the rats, and in May The operation was in partnership with biodiversity officer, said the programme’s of this year they carried out the eradication Birdlife, Te Ipukarea Society and National success has meant that it would be programme for six weeks.” Environment Service of the Cook Islands. replicated next year. The programme involved the setting Birdlife International’s Technical She said they engaged in the out cereal bait pellets that contained Support Officer Sia Rasalato said there programme after it was established that brodifacoum, one of the world’s lethal was a need for the operation because the rats were a significant threat to the islands’ pesticides. island was considered an important bird birdlife. Pacific Coorperation Islands Initiative area between the Cook Islands and the rest “The birds were nesting on the ground project Coordinator, Bill Nagle said some and rats were feeding on their eggs and birds may feed on the bait but it would not of the region. little chicks so we had to do something harm most of them like the affect rats. The eradication programme was also about it,” Ms Munro said. “We cut out the tracks and hand conducted in the Cook Island’s Anchorage She said a baseline monitoring survey distribute them, most of the ground birds Island, Motou Island and Motukena Island. PAGE 6 2 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 1 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

Redefining a sustainable Pacific future By PRIYA CHAND Mr Kami said in order for this to prevail, the increased departure tax from 2014 Journalism student it was important to put an “extraordinary” toward environment initiatives. University of the South Pacific emphasis on strengthening society by “For example, if you are doing a long-term reinforcement of governance community environment project and run acific Island countries need to find systems. out of money, that money from the tax can Plong-term mechanisms in order to He was speaking at the 9th Pacific be utilised and the project will not come to adapt to the changing environment, says Island Conference on Nature Conservation a halt,” he said. Taholo Kami, the current Chair of the Pacific and Protected Areas which opened at the “Through this conference this week, Island Roundtable for Nature Conservation Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji today. we will celebrate the partnerships that (PIRT). “Leadership should be made very clear He said while short-term mechanisms in which direction we are heading off to,” have been formed, refocus our roadmap lasting three to five years were good, there Mr Kami said. and rethink our engagement with was a need to strengthen the commitment “Thus, environmental policies and Governments, partners, communities.” and redefine what a sustainable Pacific priorities need to be made clearer.” The conference theme is ‘Natural future was. He also said securing funding for long- Solutions: Building Resilience for a “A sustainable and a green blue term projects was equally important and Changing Pacific.’ economy is where our natural environment that governments could come up with is intact and well managed, where our tactics to accommodate it. Priya Chand is a second-year journalism student at the University of the South Pacific. She is part of the people are happy and healthy and where Mr Kami applauded the Fiji Government SPREP media team of student journalists covering the our economy sustains us,” he said. policy to direct some of the takings from weeklong event.

Leaders urged to focus on THE TEAM renewable energy

By STEVE POGONOWSKI fuel combustion over the past century and the long-term impact that it is expected to have eaders of south west Pacific islands should on temperature and acid levels in the ocean. Lincrease their commitment to renewable He said this is the “critical decade”, where This publication is brought to energy and decreasing fossil fuel use in global and national decisions on fossil you by a team of journalism this decade to reduce their environmental fuel use by 2020 would determine long- students from the University footprint, attendees were reminded on the term temperature and sea level rises and of the South Pacific and the Fiji National University. Nine first day of the 9th Pacific Islands Conference biodiversity losses. students make up the team that on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas “To stabilise the climate at a manageable are guided by their mentors taking place in Suva. level, most of the world’s fossil fuel reserves who consist of Ms Mereseini Australian environmentalist and global must stay in the ground,” Dr Flannery said. Marau, Ms Merana Kitione and warming activist Dr Tim Flannery gave the “What we are doing with the world’s oceans Ms Irene Manueli. The Chief Editor and graphic designer of keynote speech, titled ‘Climate Change and in terms of putting more carbon dioxide this team is Mr Ricardo Morris. Conservation in the south west Pacific’, at the into them amounts to systemic poisoning. Vodafone Arena in Suva. As we heat our oceans, we encourage coral Each day the students are Dr Flannery is a member of the Wentworth bleaching and loss of species diversity. assigned stories which they are to complete under the Group of scientists and became Australia’s first “For the Pacific island countries, coral reefs guidance of their mentors. We chief climate commissioner in 2011. In 2013 are not just your supermarket, they are also aim to provide you with a daily he founded the Climate Council to continue your fortifications against the ocean.” bulletin this week which will be communicating authoritative climate change While traditional energy providers have uploaded to the SPREP website. information to the Australian public. been slow to invest in renewable energy, In 2005 he was honoured as Australian Dr Flannery said they were now “scrabbling Humanist of the Year and, in 2007 he was to catch up” as wind and solar technology named Australian of the Year. Dr Flannery has reduced in cost and gained greater acceptance also written many books, including The Future as alternative energy sources. Eaters (1994), The Weather Makers (2005) and He praised Fiji for its commitment to Here on Earth (2010). investment in renewable energy and to This morning he discussed the effects of encouraging local manufacturers to use increased carbon dioxide emissions and fossil biodegradable plastics. 2 DECEMBER 2013 | Bulletin No. 1 PAGE 6 News from the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas

VIEWPOINTS What are your thoughts on the theme? Building resilience to change in the Pacific

Mimosa Tukurauwia, Department of Environmental Protection & Conservation, Vanuatu “To come up with some solutions and some ways that are sustainable for the Pacific Islands that we can discuss to deal with changes. The beginning of the conference had a lot of ideas and suggestions.”

Visit Us ■■www.sprep.org ■■www.facebook.com/SPREP.PEIN ■■@SprepChannel ■■www.bionesian.blogspot.com Pondet Ananchai, Chulalongkorn Philippa Cohen, WorldFish Centre, Vox pop and photos by MARYANN University, Thailand LOCKINGTON. “Personally, I understand that the Pacific Maryann Lockington is a second-year journalism student “It’s really important because change is at the University of the South Pacific and a member of is at the frontline of climate change and inevitable, local and international change the Media Team providing coverage of the Pacific Islands it’s not fair to suffer when they aren’t Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected Areas like community priorities, management from 2 to 6 December in Suva, Fiji. This is a partnership one of the biggest industrialised areas and resources. We need resilient between the Fiji National University (FNU), University of that have contributed a lot. Science and the South Pacific (USP), SPREP and Pacific Islands News ecosystems to support benefits for the Association (PINA) whereby a team of 10 journalism technology are powerful tools and could development of communities.” students are mentored by senior reporters as they cover be integrated with civil society to find a the conference. This activity is funded by the Pacific Assistance Media Scheme (PACMAS). sustainable solution.” Reports reveal increasing threat to species diversity By Steve Pogonowski region, the report identified 27 per cent as the previous Action Strategy. under threat. He supported the comments made acific Island countries and territories Turtle conservation is also facing by President of the Republic of Fiji, His Pface internal and external threats to challenges across the region, as harvesting Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, that their biodiversity, according to two draft is the key reason for their declining putting people and communities at the reports discussed at the 9th Pacific Islands numbers. centre of conversation programs is vital Conference on Nature Conservation and Fiji was also shown to contain the and furthermore helps to support the Protected Areas this afternoon. highest number of invasive species in the ecotourism industry. The State of Conservation in Oceania region. “The people have the experience and report and the Action Strategy for Nature “There are many challenges over the the knowledge from living sustainably Conservation in the Pacific islands, due to next six years. Island countries need to with the environment,” Mr Sheppard said. be released in 2014. be provided with the level of resources “Without a clean healthy, well- Stuart Chape, Director of Biodiversity needed to deal with manageable threats,” managed environment, there isn’t a viable and Ecosystem Management for the Mr Chape said. tourism sector.” Secretariat for the Pacific Regional “Monitoring and assessment of (these He used the example of actions taken Environment Programme (SPREP), said the threats) needs to be taken seriously to deal after a climate change vulnerability State of Conservation report showed a grim with climate change.” assessment in Choiseul Province, Solomon picture of endangered and threatened David Sheppard, SPREP Director Islands as a blueprint for “working together species levels in the Oceania region. General, spoke on the upcoming Action to use ecosystem-based adaptation as a One example was the health of shark Strategy for Nature Conservation in the response to issues resulting from climate numbers: of 75 species in the Oceania Pacific islands 2014-2020 and the review of change.”