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Current state of knowledge of Cetacean threats, diversity and habitats in the Pacific islands region : 2009 revision [presented at] Second meeting of the signatories Auckland, New Zealand, 28-29 July 2009

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Miller Cara

This report provides a review of the current state of knowledge of cetacean diversity, habitat and threats in the Pacific Islands Region. The boundaries of the Pacific Islands Region, as defined by the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitats in the Pacific Islands Region (CMS 2006), are the marine areas under the jurisdiction of each Country or Territory of the Pacific Islands Region, and extend to the area defined by the Noumea Convention, i.e., between the Tropic of Cancer and 60° South latitude, and between 130° East longitude and 120° West longitude. The region stretches over some 10,000 kilometres from east to west and 5,000 kilometres from north to south, with a combined economic exclusion zone (EEZ) of approximately 30 million km².

Sea turtles - our ocean ambassadors = Les tortues marines: ambassadrices des oceans

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

A four-minute video, subtitled in English, gives an overview of the threats to sea turtles, as well as practical measures that can be taken to reduce those threats. It is intended to form audiences who require detailed information about the nature of the problems facing turtles, as well as things that they might do to be part of the solution.

Report of the annual meeting of the South Pacific whale research consortium, 9th February - 12th February 2009, Auckland, New Zealand

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

South Pacific Whale Reseach Consortium

Members of the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium met at the University of Auckland from 8-12 February, 2009 to discuss (i) the results of fieldwork and analysis conducted during 2008 and, (ii) conservation initiatives in the region. As with previous synoptic surveys dating back to the austral winter of 1999, surveys of humpback whales were conducted to collect genetic samples, individual identification photographs and song recordings in the four primary regions: New Caledonia, Tonga (Vavau), Cook Islands and French Polynesia (Moorea). Other regions surveyed in 2008 included Samoa, American Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Hervey Bay, Peregian Beach and Eden. A total of 218 photo-identified individuals recorded from throughout the Oceania region during 2007 were matched against the quality-controlled Oceania region photo-ID catalogues from the years 1999- 2007. This revealed additional evidence of low levels of interchange among breeding grounds of Oceania. Following the genotype match reported between French Polynesia and Colombia (breeding stocks F and G) reported in the 2008 SPWRC report, a comparison of quality controlled flukes from French Polynesia and the Antarctic Peninsula was undertaken during 2008. This comparison did not produce any confirmed matches between the two regions. Song analysis for the years 2002-2006 showed a pattern of sequential movement of unique song types from eastern Australia, east across the breeding grounds of Oceania. Members once again expressed their opposition to Japan's continued lethal research programme in the Antarctic and their concern that the ongoing or planned hunt of fin and humpback whales could negatively impact small, recovering populations some of which are the subject of long-term, non-lethal research by the Consortium.

Review of measures taken by intergovernmental organization to address sea turtle and seabird interactions in marine capture fisheries

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Blanchi, Gabriella

Gilman Eric

Moth-Poulsen, Thomas

This document reviews actions taken by intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), including regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and other relevant regional fishery bodies (RFBs), to address problematic sea turtle and seabird interactions in marine capture fisheries. Sea turtles and seabirds are subject to a number of natural and anthropogenic mortality sources, including fishing operations. As a result, all sea turtle species of known status are recognized as being endangered. All sea turtle species excluding the flatback are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade. Of the 61 species of seabirds affected by longline fisheries, 26 are threatened with extinction, including 19 species of albatrosses. The Convention on Migratory Species, which has a broader remit than CITES in terms of its requirements for both domestic and multilateral conservation measures, lists all sea turtles, albatrosses, giant petrels and Procellaria petrels in its Appendices. Due to concern over the status of sea turtles and certain species of seabirds and the possible negative effects of fishing on these populations, several IGOs have taken measures to address these problems. Some of these organizations have begun examining seabird or sea turtle interactions, several have adopted voluntary measures to address problematic interactions, while five RFMOs have legally binding measures requiring the employment of seabird avoidance methods in pelagic and demersal longline and trawl fisheries. There currently are no legally binding measures in place by an IGO to manage turtle-fishery interactions or seabird interactions in coastal gillnet fisheries. Several IGOs, which lack fisheries management authority, serve as advisory mechanisms and conduct cooperative research, or have a primary responsibility of regional sea turtle or seabird conservation.

Marine resources assessment for the Mariana Operating Area : final report

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Department fo the Navy

The Department of the Navy (DoN) is committed to demonstrating environmental stewardship while executing its national defense mission. The United States (U.S.) Navy (Navy) is responsible for compliance with a suite of federal environmental and natural resources laws and regulations that apply to the marine environment, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act/Sustainable Fisheries Act (MSFCMA/SFA), and Executive Order (EO) 13089 on Coral Reef Protection. The Navy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) implemented the marine resources assessment (MRA) program to develop a comprehensive compilation of data and literature concerning the protected and managed marine resources found in its various operating areas (OPAREA). The information in this MRA is vital for planning purposes and for various types of environmental documentation such as biological and environmental assessments (EA) that must be prepared in accordance with the NEPA, MMPA, ESA, and MSFCMA/SFA.

Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin assessment workshop report : Solomon islands case study of Tusiops aduncus

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Brownell Jr, R.L.

Reeves, R.R.

A workshop on the assessment of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). with the Solomon Islands as a case study, took place from 21-23 August 2008 in Apia. Samoa. It was planned and organized under the auspices of the Cetacean Specialist Group and attended by 19 invited participants from eight countries. Financial support was provided by WWF (International). The Ocean Conservancy. Animal Welfare Institute. Humane Society of the United States. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The workshop was hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Samoa workshop report of the Assessment workshop on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursciops Aduncus) with the Solomon Islands as a case study, 21-23 August, 2008, Apia Samoa

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Brownell Robert

Reeves Randall R

The workshop was planned and organized by a steering group consisting of R.L. Brownell Jr., R.R. Reeves. N.J. Gales and W.F. Perrin (see Annex 1 for a list of participants). Brownell handled logistics and Reeves chaired the meeting in Samoa. Financial support was provided by WWF (International). The Ocean Conservancy, Animal Welfare Institute. Humane Society of the United States. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The workshop was hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Sea cucumber fisheries : a manager's toolbox

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

Bell, J

Friedman K

Hair, C

Purcell S

Fishers have changed their methods from wading in the shallows to the use of sail and paddle canoes, and dinghies with outboard motors. This has resulted in greater coverage of the area where sea cucumbers live, more regular fishing, access to remote areas and the capacity to transport greater catches. Loss of much larger numbers of sea cucumbers from many areas as a result of this increased fishing pressure reduces the chances of adults remaining at densities high enough for effective reproduction. When sea cucumbers are 'thinned out' by over-fishing, they are not always able to find mates to breed with during the spawning season.

Introduced marine species in Pago Pago harbour, Fagatele bay and the national park coast, American Samoa

Available Online

Coles S.L., Reath P.R., Skelton P.A., Bonito V., DeFelice R.C., Basch L

The biological communities at ten sites around the Island of Tutuila. American Samoa were surveyed in October 2002 by a team of four investigators. Diving observations and collections of benthic observations using scuba and snorkel were made at six stations in Pago Pago Harbor, two stations in Fagatele Bay. and one station each in Vatia Bay and Fagasa Bay. The purpose of this survey was to determine the organisms greater than 0.5 mm in size occurring at each site, including benthic algae, macroinvertebrates and fishes, and to evaluate the presence and potential impact of nonindigenous (introduced) marine species. These results were compared with all reports of marine organisms for these areas by previous investigators.

Pacific Islands regional guidelines for whale and dolphin watching

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Available Online

The Pacific Islands region is important for a great number of cetaceans (whales and dolphins), whether as a permanent habitat, a breeding ground or a migration corridor. Currently, more than thirty species of whales and dolphins have been identified in this area. The presence and diversity of cetaceans in our region has led to the development of whale watching, both on a commercial and recreational basis. Whale watching is defined as viewing activities in the natural environment, of any cetacean species from land, sea or air. Today, this activity provides a sustainable use of humpback and other whales that were exploited to less than 5% of their initial abundance earlier this century, and generates many benefits to communities, contributing to sustainable development.

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