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The very high level of representation and the composition of the delegations to this meeting have clearly demonstrated the importance of the environment to the people of the South Pacific, and constitute also a forceful testimony to the desire, particularly of the island countries, to conclude this Treaty and allow SPREP to concentrate fully on fulfilling its mandate of addressig the environment concerns of the South Pacific

The area in the immediate vicinity of Apia, Western Samoa was studied through the use of air photo interpretations, literature reviews and ground surveys in order to develop an understanding of the processes which influence the coastal and nearshore sedimentary systems. The goal of the study was to provide information on which decisions regarding sand mining and other uses of the coast can be based. In the course of this study it was found that the seaward- facing shoreline on the Mulinu'u Peninsula has undergone variable degrees of change between 1954 and 1990. The most distal portions of the Peninsula (towards the Apia Observatory grounds) have experienced more erosion than locations closer to the town centre. The most severely eroded areas appear to be related to local current patterns on the reef top. The lesser and more variable coastal changes noted near town could be related to more extensive and persistent shore protection rather than any natural causes.

The Government of the Republic of Kiribati has formally proposed to the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) that the islets, lagoon and reefs of North Tarawa Atoll be designated a Conservation Area under the South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Programme (SPBCP). The proposal for a "North Tarawa Conservation Area Project" has been approved, subject to the completion of a detailed Project Preparation Document (PPD). This document constitutes the PPD.

A Greenpeace report called "The Plantation Effect" critized the New Zealand Tree Plantation Industry for working on an unsustainable basis. This is a discussion of issues involved including a brief background of the report, with interviews from the author of the report, Grant Rosanyn, and a response from Ken Sherley (Exe. Dir of NZ Forest Owners Association). Anthony Lewis of the South Pacific Commission Fisheries Programme, talks about the South Pacific Regional Tuna Resources Assessment Management Project : (SUPA TRAMP). He explains reasons for the establishment of this project and the role it undertakes.

Samoa was first sighted by Roggerwein in 1722,. He gave the Samoa Islands the name the Isles of the Navigators, when he noted how much the natives used canoes.

This Environmental Legislation Review for Tuvalu has been produced as an important component of the National Environmental Management Strategies (NEMS) Project. The NEMS Project was developed to address sustainable environmental development and planning issues in a number of Pacific island countries. It was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau (AIDAB) and implemented through the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as part of a broader UNDP assistance project called PMI: Planning and Implementation of Pacific Regional Environment Programme which concentrates oil regional and in-country institution strengthening and training of environmental managers.