1 GOVERNMENT OF TONGA TONGA’S SIXTH NATIONAL REPORT TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Prepared by the Department of Environment, Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) in collaborations with Tonga’s national stakeholders. September, 2020. 2 3 4 Review of Tonga’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Framework – Sixth Report Contributors: Ms. Halalilika ‘Etika (GIS) MLNR Mr. Māna’ia Halafihi (Agriculture) MAFFF Mr. Sitiveni Hamani (Forestry) MAFFF Ms. Ta’hirih Hokafonu (DoE) MEIDECC Ms. Sesimani Lokotui CSFT Ms. Ana Maea (Natural Resources) MLNR Ms. Mafile’o Masi (DoE) MEIDECC Dr. Siola’a Malimali MOF Ms. Atelaite Lupe Matoto (DoE) MEIDECC Ms. Lilu Moala (DoE) MEIDECC Ms. Lynette Sifa (GIS) MLNR Mr. Semisi Tongia (Tourism) MTLC Ms. ‘Elisapeti Veikoso MLNR Editors: Mr. Paula Ma’u Ms. ‘Atelaite Lupe Matoto Ms. Ta’hirih Fifita Hokafonu Ms. ‘Elisapeti Veikoso Ms. Monalisa Tukuafu NBSAP Project Management Unit Ms. Ta’hirih Hokafonu Project Coordinator Ms. Elisapeti Veikoso Project Assistant SEPTEMBER 2020 Table of Contents Executive Summary 7 Acronyms 8 Acknowledgement 12 Forward 13 1.0 Introduction 14 1.1 Methodology 16 1.2 Geographical Characteristics 17 2.0 Section I: Information on Targets Being Pursued at the National Level 20 3.0 Section II: Implementation Measures Taken, Assessment of their Effectiveness, and Associated Obstacles and Scientific and Technical Needs to Achieve National Targets 40 3.1 Describe the measures taken and indicate which ABT, and National targets each measure contributes to? 40 3.2 Assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation measure taken in achieving desired outcomes, and the tools and methodology used to achieve it. 42 3.3 Obstacles encountered during the implementation of each measure, and the requirements to overcome them described? 102 3.4 Are revisions recommended for measures that can be more effectively implemented to achieve desired results? 104 4.0 Section III: Assessment of Progress towards Each National Target 106 5.0 Section IV: Describe the national contribution to the achievement of each global ABT 141 6.0 Section IV: National Biodiversity Profile 152 6.1 Forest Ecosystems 152 6.2 Marine Resources 154 6.3 Coral Reefs 156 6.4 Protected Areas 157 6.5 Agro-biodiversity 158 5 6.6 Species conservation 166 6.7 Threats and Pressures of Pollution on Biodiversity 170 7.0 Mechanism for Monitoring and Reviewing Implementation 174 8,0 References 175 Annexes 183 Annex 1: Maps of Tourist Sites in Tonga 183 Annex 2: International Conventions relevant to Pollution Control and Management 185 List of Figures and Tables 187 6 Executive Summary The Sixth National Report provides a 4-yearly update on the Kingdom of Tonga’s progress against biodiversity targets, as required under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This Report covers the period 2014- 2018 which captures progress against: - Tonga’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Framework (NBSAF) its implementation and the mainstreaming of biodiversity; - The progress towards the 2020 Aichi biodiversity targets and the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) This report covers five sections focusing on the following key areas: 1. Information on the targets being pursued at the national level; 2. Implementation measures taken, assessment of their effectiveness, associated obstacles and scientific and technical needs to achieve national targets; 3. Assessment of progress towards each national target; 4. Describe the national contribution to the achievement of each global Aichi Biodiversity Targets; and 5. Updated biodiversity country profiles. This National Report is part of an on-going work of the Kingdom of Tonga in its effort to remain committed to the objectives of the CBD as well as meeting its national priorities. Along with the submission of its previous National Reports, Tonga has also updated its NBSAP as Tonga’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Framework (NBSAF) for the period 2018-2025, covering 8 thematic areas with planned strategies and actions for the conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use. The national targets emphasized under the framework of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets reflect Tonga’s ongoing efforts to align closely its national strategies and action plans accordingly. There are several Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs) relevant for NBSAF activities and actions to meet respective obligations of which Tonga is a party of. The primary instruments relevant to biodiversity are the CBD and its protocols, CITES, CMS, RAMSAR, and MARPOL. NBSAF actions are relevant to and potentially impacted by climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, and development agenda, including the SAMOA Pathway and the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific, as well as supporting Tonga’s Joint National Action Plan 2 on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (JNAP2). National reports are essential tools in allowing the Conference of the Parties (COP) to keep track of the implementation of the Convention by providing information for the preparation of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO). The recent Fifth National Report (5NR) provided a key source of information for a mid-term review of the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. The Sixth National Report makes updates on previous National Reports by providing more transparent and specific information on how we are progressing towards Tonga’s national and international targets and includes improved benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of our actions. The report also outlines some of the significant national actions being undertaken through the combined efforts of the national government, NGOs and local communities. These initiatives and actions are vital for putting a halt on the decline of biodiversity, which poses a significant challenge and therefore needs a sustained collaborative effort across the Kingdom. 7 Acronyms 5NR - Fifth National Report 6NR - Sixth National Report ABT - Aichi Biodiversity Targets AGC - Agriculture Growth Committee BIORAP - Biological Rapid Assessments CBA - Climate Based Adaptation CBD - Convention of Biological Diversity CITIES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CMS - Convention on Migratory Species CL - Crown Law COP - Conference of the Parties DoE - Department of Environment DoFo - Department of Forestry ECCD - Environment and Climate Change Department EIA - Environmental Initial Assessment FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FSP - Fanga’uta Stewardship Plan GBO - Global Biodiversity Outlook GEF - Global Environment Facility GEF-SGP - GEF Small Grant Program GIS - Geographic Information System GL - Government and Local Communities 8 IAS - Invasive Alien Species IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development JNAP2 - Joint National Action Plan 2 on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management MACBIO - Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in the Pacific Islands MAFFF - Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries MAFF - Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry MARPOL - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships MCTL - Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Labor MEAS - Multilateral Environment Agreements MECC - Ministry of Environment and Climate Change MECCDMMIC - Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, Meteorology, Information and Communications MEIDECC - Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications MET - Ministry of Education and Training MEWAC - Ministry of Education, Women’s Affair and Culture MFAT - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for New Zealand MFP - Ministry of Finance and Planning MFNP - Ministry of Finance and National Planning MIA - Ministry of Internal Affairs MIC - Ministry of Information and Communications MLCI - Ministry of Labor, Commerce and Innovation MLNR - Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources MOE - Ministry of Education 9 MOFi - Ministry of Finance MOFo - Ministry of Forestry MOH - Ministry of Health MOI - Ministry of Infrastructure MOJ - Ministry of Justice MOTEY - Ministry of Training, Employment, Youth and Sports MPs - Members of Parliament - NBSAF - National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Framework NBSAP - National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NGO - Non-Government Organisation PMO - Prime Minister’s Office POPs - Persistent Organic Pollutant PRRP - Pacific Risk Resilience Program RAMSAR - The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance R2R - Ridge to Reef program SAMOA Pathway SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action SDG - Sustainable Development Goals SIDS - Small Island Developing States SMA - Special Management Areas (community-based marine reserve) SPC - The Pacific Community SPCZ - South Pacific Convergence Zone SOE - State of Environment TBC - Tonga Broadcasting Commission TEK - Traditional Ecological Knowledge 10 TERM - Tonga Energy Road Map TWB - Tonga Water Board TWG - Technical Working Group TEK - Traditional Ecological Knowledge TFP - Tonga Forest Product Ltd UNEP - United Nation Environment Program VEPA - Vava’u Environment Protection Association WB - World Bank 11 Acknowledgement The Government of Tonga extends its sincere gratitude to the UNEP and GEF for providing financial support to pursue this Sixth National Report. Special thanks are extended to the Hon. Minister, Mr. Poasi Mataele Tei; and Chief Executive Officer