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Cetacean diversity, common occurrence and community importance in Fijian waters

Batibasaga, Aisake

Chand, Prerna

Dulunaqio, Sirilo

Fox, Margaret

Jupiter, Stacy

Miller, Cara E.

Naisilisili, Waisea

Nand, Yashika

Sharma-Gounder, Saras

Smith, Brian

Fiji has demonstrated a strong commitment to cetacean conservation via national, regional and international plans and agreements. To provide baseline information in support of these efforts, this paper provides an updated listing of cetacean species found in Fijian waters and identifies locations where cetaceans have been noted on a consistent basis. Information for this review was sourced from peer-reviewed publications, field reports, historical whaling records, national consultations, anecdotal and opportunistic sources, as well as a national database held by the Fiji Government's Department of Fisheries. Reliable and recent records were confirmed for 10 cetacean species in Fijian waters. In addition, less reliable records and regional species' information provides support for the occurrence of at least 14 additional species or groups of similar-looking species that could not be identified more specifically. Thirteen hotspot areas within the Fiji Economic Exclusive Zone were preliminarily identified as being particularly important for cetaceans, including numerous sites within the Vatu-i-Ra and Lomaiviti passages and surrounding waters. Issues with the available data include uneven coverage, inherent biases within available sources, and difficulties with species identification and verification in some cases. Nevertheless, it is hoped that this review will provide a reference point from which to move forward with cetacean management and conservation efforts in Fiji.

PacWaste : Healthcare waste in the Pacific (factsheet)

Waste Management and Pollution Control

Available Online

Poor waste management is a major threat to sustainable development in Pacific Island countries and territories as it has negative impacts on the regions environment, as well as on human health, water quality, fisheries, agriculture, tourism and quality of life in general. Significant progress is underway, but there is opportunity for improvement in the management of hazardous waste such as asbestos, healthcare waste and E-waste across the Pacific.

Officials in Nauru taking action on asbestos safety

Available Online

Radio NZ

SPREP

Williams, Stewart

Nauru is taking action to improve the safety of asbestos removal work around the island, and now has 12 fully-trained officials to keep an eye on safety standards. The government has been removing asbestos from households since late last year, but there has been concern that workers were not being protected from dangerous asbestos fibres, and that the discarded material was not being disposed of properly. The safety training was delivered by SPREP's PacWaste project, and manager Stewart Williams says the Nauru government deserves credit for its efforts.

KIDSTUFF: About the Ocean Creatures of Hawaii

Wreh

Colouring book and learning activities for children on Ocean creatures of Hawaii.

Irá me Neeniier nón Chuuk : Plants and their Environments in Chuuk

Juvik, James

Merlin, Mark

The purpose of this booklet is to encourage the young people of the Federated States of Micronesia to pursue careers in environmental science and conservation, with the further goal of sustainable natural resource use and preservation of biodiversity in the Pacific. The text aims to make these topics relevant by focusing on the environments of Chuuk State and using Chuukese and outer island examples to illustrate scientific concepts. Cultural diversity goes hand in hand with biodiversity, so descriptions of the plant communities contain examples of how they are used by the people of Chuuk State. Proverbs, legends and stories, which show close, thorough observation of the environment and an interest in explaining it, are also included. This booklet is small indeed in comparison to the richness of the various environments of Chuuk State and the sophistication of local traditional knowledge about them. It is our hope that these environments will continue to be preserved, and that the knowledge of them will be set down by the local scientists and traditional experts of today and those who will follow.

The status of the coral reefs and marine resources of Samoa

Island and Ocean Ecosystems

Bell, Lui J.

Mulipola, Atonio

Skelton, Posa A.

Trevor, Anne

The coral reefs of Samoa are limited and fringing in nature due to past volcanic activities and subsequent sea level rise. The near-shore reef fisheries are degraded, however, they continue to provide for the well being of the people. The coral reef systems have recovered considerably since the cyclones in the early 1990s, with healthy and lush coral diversity seen in many reef front areas. The current knowledge of the marine biodiversity is inadequate with past studies largely undertaken by foreign scientists. The marine flora is better known that the fauna, however the fishes of Samoa have been thoroughly documented. Of the known species, the fishes consist of 991 species, benthic algae 287 species, coastal littoral plants 76, 3 mangrove communities, 2 seagrass species and 3 marine turtles. A number of target species for fisheries have declined over the years which include marine turtles, giant clams, giant triton, grey mullets, milkfish, and mangrove crabs. There are no known endemic or rare organisms, which may be partly attributed to the lack of knowledge on the marine biodiversity. There is only one extinct species known, the giant clam Hippopus hippopus, with shell s and shell fragments found in some parts of Samoa.

Compile and Review Invasive Alien Species Information for the Cook Islands

Available Online

Pagad. S.

A Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project is currently being implemented in the Cook Islands titled the Prevention, Control and Management of Invasive Alien Species in the Pacific Islands. This is a multicountry project and includes the Niue, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Tonga, and Samoa. Activities within the framework of this project include the conservation of priority species and ecosystems and the management of Invasive Alien Species (IAS).

Report on the study of Culicoides "sandflies" on Ootu, Aitutaki and on Mitiaro

Available Online

McCormack. G.

An international team of scientists undertook a field study on Aitutaki and Mitiaro of Belkins Bitingmidge, Culicoides belkini, locally known as sandflies. The biting midge has been a serious nuisance to residents and visitors on Aitutaki since the early 1960s, and on Mitiaro since about 1980.

Mitiaro Sandflies - Survey Report

Available Online

Survey information and notes on Mitiaro Sandflies in the Cook Islands.

The Distribution and Abundance of Myna Birds (Acridotheres tristis) and Rimatara Lorikeets (Vini kuhlii) on Atiu, Cook Islands.

Island and Ocean Ecosystems, BRB

Available Online

Heptonstall. R.E.A

The Common Myna Acridotheres tristis was originally introduced to the island of Atiu, Cook Islands, in 1915 to control the Coconut stick insect Graeffea crouanii but it has since become a pest itself. The Rimatara lorikeet Vini Kuhlii or Kura was reintroduced, after disappearing from the Southern Cook Islands almost 200 years ago, to Atiu on 24th April 2007 from Rimatara, French Polynesia to create a reserve population due to there being only approximately 1000 birds left on Rimatara. Due to observations of mynas reportedly harassing and attacking adult and juvenile Kura at the nest, an eradication programme was introduced by Gerald McCormack, Director of the Cook Island Natural Heritage Trust (CINHT), in May 2009 to reduce the population size of myna birds to give the Kura a couple of peaceful nesting seasons to help establish a stable population on Atiu. A study by J. Mitchell of the University of Leeds in May/June 2009 estimated a starting count of approximately 6000 myna birds prior to the eradication programme. That survey was followed up in May 2010 using two strategies, the transect method and roost counts. Analysis of transect method counts, using the Distance software, estimate there are approximately 3128 mynas on Atiu. Roost counts were at variance with that figure and estimated only 1280 myna birds. The roost counts estimate of 1280 may be the most accurate because all mynas would be in the winter roosts for heat conservation from May to July alleviating the concern that females and young would be nesting away from the roosts during counts, whereas transect counts may involve recounting the same birds numerous times; a problem minimized by repeating transect counts twice daily and using different transects to cover as much of the expected habitat as possible. Only a limited survey of the population of Kura was possible during this visit to Atiu since almost all available time and logistics were focused on myna surveys. An estimate of the Kura population suggests there are approximately 100 birds, which suggests that since the 2007 introduction the Kura population is thriving on Atiu. However, comparisons with the exponential growth rate model of 184 birds suggest this difference could be due to myna bird harassment despite culling. A more comprehensive survey is recommended perhaps using similar strategies to determine whether the myna has any deleterious effect on the Kura. In July 2010 a new myna bounty was introduced and is proving successful as a further 383 myna birds were culled by the end of July. The Atiu Island Council may decide on complete eradication of the myna to give the Kura full advantage of living on Atiu in the absence of the competitive myna bird.

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