Marine resources

Tonga’s Ocean Plan set for 2021 start

Having had nation-wide consultations in 2018 and 2019, the Tonga Ocean 7 team had hoped to finalise the plan in 2020.

But COVID-19 forced the delay as the Tongan government focused on keeping the kingdom free of the virus.

Environment Chief Executive Officer Paula Ma’u said the delay had given the team more time to review the plan and ensure everything was in place before it was submitted to cabinet.

Niue formalises one of largest marine reserves in world

The 127,000 square kilometre zone constitutes 40 percent of Niue's exclusive economic zone.

First mooted five years ago, the Moana Mahu has this month been legally established by the Niue parliament.

The reserve will include a special management space area around the partially submerged Beveridge Reef .

This area would be known as the "Beveridge Reef Nukutulueatama Special Management Area" and was considered to have particular importance for its biodiversity.

World can 'learn ocean management from Pacific'

Next week, the United Nations Oceans' Conference is being held in New York, co-hosted by Fiji and Sweden, with a specific focus on Sustainable Development Goal 14 - namely to conserve and sustainably manage the use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.

Hugh Govan is an advisor with the Locally Managed Marine Area network and had worked with Pacific coastal communities for many years.

He said these communities had lived in harmony with the ocean for thousands of years and they need to be listened to.

Purse seine issue still big concern in Cook Islands says TIS

TIS which has been voicing concern over the purse seine fishing issue for most of the year, has presented an anti-purse seine fishing petition to Parliament bearing 4000-plus signatures.

The organisation’s technical advisor, Kelvin Passfield says TIS is concerned that, in spite of the voting public asking for a ban on purse seining, government has since issued licences to at least two additional fishing companies to fish in Cook Islands waters.

He says this has been done without any disclosure to the public.