Marine Team
Penina Solomona (Marine Officer), Seremaia Tuqiri (Fisheries Policy Officer) and Louise Heaps (WWF SPP Conservation Director - East) work together at the Regional office in Suva, Fiji.
Country-based Marine Teams work also in PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji and the Cook Islands.
Marine team movements
Wishing you well...
The WWF SPP marine teams would like to wish Ms. Susana Lolohea all the very best and thank her for her tireless efforts to assist the marine programme in their objectives.
On behalf of the WWF SPP marine team, we would like to express our deep sadness by the passing of Ms Miriam Philip, WWF PNG Marine Manager. In special recognition of her lifetime’s work towards the conservation of nature in the Pacific Islands region, friends and colleagues would like to express their fond memories of times shared:
“Miriam was the first PNG woman I met when I began working with the leatherbacks in Papua. We met in Hawaii 2002 where she presented the leatherback work in PNG. I found her to be a quiet person but very knowledgeable. She also seemed constantly inspired to work on conservation in the Pacific.”
- Creusa Hitipeuw, WWF Indonesia
News Bites
A match made in Auckland
The South Pacific Whale Research Consortium (SPWRC) at its annual meeting in Auckland (January, 2007) found several interesting connections between often widely separated areas, including New Caledonia, Tonga, American Samoa, Samoa, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. One such example was a whale photographed in New Caledonia in 1998 was seen again in Tonga in 2001, and again in 2004, far to the east in French Polynesia.
Formed in 1999, the Consortium is a collection of research groups working on whales with a strong focus on humpback whales and in its eight years, has collected photographs of more than 1000 individual humpbacks across the South Pacific.
For further information contact Rochelle Constantine
Survey of turtle nesting beaches commences in Fiji
In partnership with the Fiji Department of Fisheries, the USP’s Institute of Marine Resources and WWF Fiji Country Programme, a national survey of turtle nesting beaches is being undertaken for Fiji. The collaboration is supporting a Masters of Science student to undertake this survey in an attempt to bridge an information gap for turtle conservation efforts in Fiji.
For further information, contact Ms. Penina Solomona.
WWF launches fishing gear competition to reduce marine bycatch
WWF has launched its third annual international Smart Gear Competition, seeking new designs for fishing gear that reduces marine bycatch — the accidental catch and related deaths of millions of marine species in nets and longlines each year. The international competition will award a US$30,000 grand prize and two US$10,000 runner-up prizes to the designs judged to be the most practical, cost-effective methods for reducing bycatch of any species.
Contact: Kimberly Davis or Michael Osmond.
On the Ground Reports
Reporting from the ground, is John Pita and colleagues in the Solomon Islands reporting an account of the 2006 Leatherback turtle nesting season and the progress made in leatherback conservation. » Read the full story
Reporting from the field in Fiji, is Monifa Fui, WWF Fiji Marine officer who witnessed a customary fishing practice, a tradition is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Read Monifa's account of her personal experience during the yavi rau (customary fish drive), on the island of Cicia in the remote Lau group of Fiji » Read the full story
Latest Publications
Great Sea Reef Technical Report:
» more about the report
Lady Vini's big Pacific adventure
Read a magical and true tale of the awe inspiring Lady Vini who travelled over 4,500kms in 2006, capturing the imaginations of the pacific throughout her journey!
Latest Press Releases
Calendar
March
- 5th: CMS Outreach for the Pacific – Apia, Samoa. Contact: Lui Bell
- 5 – 9th: Scoping of potential project to be funded under the CRISP – French Polynesia, Tahiti / Moorea. Contact: Caroline Vieux (SPREP Coral Reef Management Officer)
- 6th: 1st Meeting of the Signatories of the CMS MoU – Apia, Samoa. Contact: Anne Trevor
- 6 – 8, 9: Review of the SPREP Whale & Dolphin Action Plan – Apia, Samoa. Contact: Lui Bell
- 7th: Cetacean & Fisheries Interaction Workshop – Apia, Samoa. Contact: Anne Trevor
- 9 – 13th: Pacific Islands Community Conservation Course – Suva, Fiji. Contact: Ana Tiraa (SPREP Island Biodiversity Officer)
- 12 – 14th: Review of the SPREP Regional Marine Turtle Conservation Plan – Apia, Samoa. Contact: Lui Bell
- 12 – 14th: Regional Marine Invasive Species Workshop – Apia, Samoa. Contact: Gillian Key (Pacific Invasives Learning Network Coordinator).
- 15 – 16: Review of the SPREP Regional Dugong Action Plan – Apia, Samoa. Contact: Lui Bell
- 21st: World Forestry Day
- 22nd: World Water Day: Coping with water scarcity.
- 23rd: World Meteorology Day
- 22 – 23rd: ANU Forum Workshop on transnational environmental crime in the Asia Pacific – Canberra, Australia. Contact: Bruce Chapman, Programme Manager – Pacific Futures.
April
- 2 – 4th: CBD Capacity Building Workshop for the Pacific LDCs – Apia, Samoa. Contact: Ana Tiraa
- 2 – 5th: Youth Environmental Leaders Forum – Apia, Samoa. Contact: Tamara Logan
- 16th – 20th: International Coastal Symposium – Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
- 22nd: Earth Day
- 24th: ICRI General Meeting – Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan. Contact: Kohei Ibino
May
- 2nd – 6th: Marine Benthic Habitas of the Pacific and other oceans (GeoHab 2007) – Noumea, New Caledonia. Contact: Mary Power
- 7th – 18th: International Whaling Commission (Group Meetings) – Anchorage, Alaska
- 22nd: International Biodiversity Day
- 24 - 25th: Regional eNGO Workshop on Oceanic Fisheries Management in the Western & Central Pacific Commission (WCPFC)
- 28th – 31st: Annual IWC meeting – Anchorage, Alaska. WWF Contact: Chris Howe
June
- 5th: World Environment day: Melting Ice – A hot topic?
- 3rd – 17th: 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES – The Hague, Netherlands. Contact: J. Barzdo (CITES Secretariat)
- 8th: WWF Turtle Benefit Ball, Suva, contact Penina Solomona for more details
- 8th: World Oceans Day
- 13th – 17th: 21st Pacific Science Congress - Diversity and change: Challenges and opportunities for managing natural and social systems in Asia Pacific – Japan. Email for more information.
July
- 7th – 11th: 11th International Coral Reef Symposium – Florida. Contact: Carol Fretwel
Historic meeting for regional fisheries management organizations
The first ever Joint Meeting of the 5 Tuna RFMOs was held in Kobe, Japan from January 22 – 26, 2007. This was a historic attempt by all RFMOs to meet on one occasion to discuss common matters. The meeting was attended by participants from 54 members and co-operating non-members of the 5 RFMOs, their Secretariats and several industry and conservation NGOs including Birdlife, Humane Society International and WWF.
WWF were observers on the government delegations from Australia, Costa Rica, Fiji, and Kenya. It also had an official observer delegation lead by Ms Katherine Short (WWF International) and included Alistair Graham (WWF consultant), Arata Izawa (WWF Japan), and Susana Sainz-Trapaga (MedPO). However, whilst it achieved one WWF objective, firmly positioning WWF as the 'go to' for RFMO reform and tuna conservation and despite some key individuals and delegations seeking commitment to change, general complacency prevailed.
A presentation made by the FAO noted with concern that most commercially important tuna stocks in the world are fully or over-exploited. The meeting also noted that the demand for canned tuna and sashimi was continuously increasing around the world.
Four initial actions for technical cooperation across tuna RFMOs were identified. They included:
- Harmonising and improving trade tracking programs;
- Harmonising of positive lists of tuna fishing vessels (& creating a global negative list);
- Harmonising of transshipment control measures; and
- Standardising of presentation of stock assessment results.
WWF is now focusing its efforts on key priority actions including the development of a reform action plan for each RFMO using the recommendations in Follow the Leader, a joint WWF and TRAFFIC publication (2006) that analyses the actions undertaken by RFMOs in trying to resolve fisheries management issues with lessons learnt as well as resultant best practices that may have emerged from the analysis.
» Download Follow the Leader publication
For further information contact: Seremaia Tuqiri - T: (679) 3315533; F: (679) 3315410
WWF SPP signs CMS MoU
WWF South Pacific Programme (WWF SPP) recently joined a growing number of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and environment NGOs committed to protecting whales and dolphins, by signing the MoU for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitats in the Pacific Islands region.
WWF SPP signed this MoU at the first meeting of the signatories held in Apia in March (2007). This MoU, developed under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), is a regional agreement aimed at fostering cooperation, building capacity and ensuring coordinated region-wide actions to conserve cetaceans.
The Pacific Islands region is known to account for over half of the word’s known cetacean species and are currently being subjected to threats including their direct take, degradation of their habitats and climate change to name a few.
The MoU since it opened for signing in September 2006, now has a total of 11 PICs and 5 collaborating organizations committed to implementing a detailed plan with practical actions guiding them to effectively address cetacean conservation.
According to Mr. Lyle Glowka, Agreements Officer at the CMS Secretariat, “This is a milestone meeting for the region and CMS is very excited to see the MoU membership grow very quickly. We are on our way to universal membership and the agreement’s full implementation.”
For further information, contact Penina Solomona- T: (679) 3315533; F: (679) 3315410
Year of the Sea Turtle closes though conservation efforts continue
To mark the official close of the 2006 Year of the Sea Turtle (YOST), SPREP and partners, including WWF SPP, launched an education kit and a reader titled “Lady Vini’s Big Pacific Adventure”.
The reader, published by the Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council (WPRFMC), has been a collaborative effort between WWF SPPO, Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and SPREP. It is a reader aimed at young children and illustrates the journey of Lady Vini during the 2006 YOST and was authored and illustrated by Kylie Jane, an avid supporter of turtle conservation efforts in Fiji.
While the YOST officially ended on the 13th March, the efforts for turtle conservation throughout the Pacific Islands region is on-going. One of the key outcomes of the YOST has been the levels of collaboration established and strengthened, particularly with the private sectors throughout the region.
At the closing ceremony Samoa’s Associate Minister for the MNRE, the Honourable Fonotoe Lauofo noted the “encouraging bilateral and multilateral arrangements between Pacific countries and their development partners.” The Honourable Minister cited two particular examples, namely “The MoU signed by Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands for the conservation of the Western Pacific Leatherback” and the “WWF marine turtle programme in Fiji” to illustrate his point on collaborating with partners.
While the YOST has come to a close, there continue to be strong calls to keep the momentum rolling to ensure that generations from now, sea turtle remain living legacies of the Pacific.
For further information, contact Penina Solomona- T: (679) 3315533; F: (679) 3315410
WWF SI & local community launch MPA
The community of Nusatuva, in the Solomon Island Western Province, launched their Marine Protected Area on 22 March, 2 years since the start of their engagement with WWF through a UK Government Darwin Initiative funded project. The launch was held during the mid-term review of the project, which aims to support and empower four local communities in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands to maintain biodiversity, fisheries productivity and livelihoods through community-based marine resource management.
The community welcomed WWF and the official UK Government project evaluator with food and song.
said Louise Heaps, WWF-SPPO Conservation Director (East), who was asked by the community to launch the MPA.
The community are now investigating alternative livelihood options with the WorldFish Centre and WWF to ensure that they are able to maintain their income following the closure of an area of their fishing grounds. Currently, the community and partners are assessing whether clam farming is a viable option. The Nusatuva community have also established a guesthouse / ecolodge as another income earning alternative. Bruno Manele, the WWF Coordinator for the project, is “overwhelmed by the response from all four communities who are working hard to develop and implement their marine management plans and who have been so open to these concepts”.
For more information on this, please contact Bruno Manele
French Polynesia Turtle in Fiji Waters
Popora is an adult green turtle that was satellite-tagged and released off the coast of Bora Bora, French Polynesia, in November 2006. He is now in Fiji waters after a three-month voyage across the Pacific.
Popora has traveled through the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Niue and Tonga and is now in Fiji. He follows in the flipper path of Lady Vini, the satellite-tagged hawksbill, whose seven-month adventure captured the hearts of Pacific Islanders last year.
The release of tagged sea turtles in French Polynesia in 2006 was the culmination of a tagging and data management event facilitated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Marine Turtle Research Program.
Popora’s journey is being tracked via satellite signal and charted on a series of maps to be posted on the Year of the Sea Turtle website. These data help marine researchers in the Pacific understand the migration habits of sea turtles and to better plan conservation strategies for the species in the region.
For further information, contact: Lui Bell
PNG Wetlands under Threat from Global Warming
By Luanne Losi, WWF PNG
To commemorate World Wetlands Day (2nd February, 2007), WWF-PNG staff was joined by families, friends and volunteers to clean Ela Beach. The international theme of this event was 'Wetlands and Fisheries', in recognition of the interactions between wetlands and fisheries and their important role in global societies. The theme aimed to generate greater public awareness for wetland ecosystems and develop an appreciation for the challenges of sustainably managing this freshwater environment amidst the many, often conflicting, uses.
In a statement made by the WWF-PNG Freshwater Program manager, Mr. David Peter, says that the wetlands of PNG are under threat from global warming and people have been urged to be more cautious with their actions.
WWF launches the Fiji Islands Marine Ecoregion & Great Sea Reef reports
The Fiji Islands Marine Ecoregion (FIME) and Great Sea Reef (GSR) Survey Reports were launched on the 9th February at an evening function hosted by WWF’s Fiji Country Programme (WWF FCP). Mr. Tomasi Vakatora, Deputy Chairman of Vodafone’s ATH Fiji Foundation and guest speaker for the evening, officially made these 2 reports publicly available, thanking all partners for their contribution to the project.
In December 2003, over 80 scientists, community members, non government organization (NGO) representatives, and government administrators and decision makers shared current scientific information on the biodiversity of and threats to Fiji’s marine environment. The report: Setting Priorities for Marine Conservation in the Fiji Islands Marine Ecoregion identifies 35 priority conservation areas which were agreed to by these stakeholders. The 35 areas attempt to capture the full range of marine biodiversity, species and communities that make FIME unique. If conserved, these areas contribute to maintaining the integrity of Fiji’s marine systems.
- Ms Kesaia Tabunakawai, WWF FCP Manager
In 2004, Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation provided funding to WWF FCP and its partners to undertake a survey of the Great Sea Reef, the third longest barrier reef system in the world and one of the 35 priority conservation areas indentified. This survey is the first ever systematic effort to document the marine biodiversity of this reef known locally as Cakaulevu.
The findings of the survey have provided part of the building block to the Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) initiative - a partnership between Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) as the lead, WWF FCP, Wetlands International - Oceania (WI-O), the University of the South Pacific (USP) and in association with the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas (FLMMA). The EBM area extends from Macuata through the Bua Peninsula to Kubulau. This initiative aims to protect the marine environment by addressing land-based threats to coral reefs and other marine habitats.
Functioning marine systems and productive fisheries are vitally important - they are the key source of food, income, employment, foreign exchange and cultures. WWF FCP’s March/April 2006 socio economic survey showed that 100% of households earn income from their natural resources (marine, freshwater, forest and agriculture). Of these households, 75% depend on these natural resource harvests as their main source of income.
Guest Column
To Waste or Not To Waste
Fiji, like every other country in the world, must face the dilemma of discovering means to deal with its ever growing waste and the resultant pollution. Rapid urbanization compounded by a national population nearing the one million mark, has lead to an acceleration of problems related to effective collection and disposal of waste across Fiji.
Fiji for example uses over 66 million plastic bags annually, each of which takes between 10-50 years to decompose. In a country which does not have the capacity to effectively recycle or remediate non-biodegradable waste, the growing importation of packaged consumer goods exacerbates the situation. Adding to this is the general lack of awareness and empathy by the public for active practice of proper waste management. Waste in Fiji, is not restricted to solids – the outpouring of as liquid waste arising out of industrial areas; sewage outfalls and chemical runoff from farmlands contributes heavily to marine pollution and the degradation of coastal areas around Fiji.
The main concern with waste is that it diminishes the quality of life - particularly in terms of aesthetics, health and the productivity of the environment on which countless Fiji Islanders depend on for subsistence and income generation. The effect of waste on Fiji’s major foreign exchange earner, tourism, has far reaching repercussions. Waste littering our roadsides and beaches and degraded reef areas from marine pollution negates the return of tourists or encouraging others to visit.
As part of redressing this issue, the Institute of Applied Sciences of the University of the South Pacific (IAS) is currently implementing an Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) project along the Coral Coast with one of its primary focuses being waste management. The project essentially works towards improving the quality of life of these coastal communities who depend on marine resources for their livelihoods by reducing adverse impacts such as waste and pollution upon their marine environment. With the support of the community waste management strategies are developed which emphasizes green waste composting, recycling potential, compost toilets and aligned wetland systems for reducing sewage outflows, compost piggeries and communal landfills.
On the 22 & 23rd of February (2007), IAS with the support of the Nadroga Provincial Office and WWF Fiji Country Programme (WWF FCP) conducted a Community Waste Management Planning Workshop for 5 communities in the Tikina of Wai in Nadroga.
The communities in the district have been working with WWF in recent years to develop and effectively manage their community mangrove and marine protected areas. This was one of the first such workshops undertaken in the district and has addressed a problem affecting the integrity of these protected areas as identified by the communities.
