NEWSPAGE 03 December
2010

(Photos: Department of Labour)

(Photo: Samoa Government)

SAMOA: Parliamentary Updates
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Prime Minister to attend meetings in New Zealand and Mexico

Cabinet has approved the participation by Honourable Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi of a meeting with Seasonal Workers Scheme Companies in New Zealand on 3 - 4 December and a Climate Change meeting in Mexico on 7 -11 December 2010.

The purpose of the meeting with New Zealand companies is to highlight the strong support from the Samoan government towards the Recognized Seasonal Employer’s (RSE) scheme.

The meeting in Cancun, Mexico will focus on Climate Change. Participants will lobby for an agreement to control gas emissions which is a big contributing factor to climate change.

Discussions on financial assistance for small island nations like Samoa will also feature at the meeting to help with their projects in climate change mitigation and adaptation factors.


Lucky Construction awarded contract for reconstruction of Saleapaga road

Cabinet has approved the reconstruction of Saleapaga road under the Tsunami Reconstruction Programme, to Lucky Construction.

Invitations for bids were received from four construction companies. The applications were assessed by a Sub-Committee for the Tenders’ Board before submitting it to Cabinet for approval.


Commemoration of the Samoa National Youth Week 2010

Cabinet has approved the commemoration of the Samoa National Youth Week 2010 commencing on Sunday 5 December until Friday 10 December 2010.

The theme for this year is, “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding”. The theme has been chosen because of the many problems faced by youth today.

The programme will start with a Prayer Ceremony to be held at the Tooa Salamasina Hall, Sogi on 5 December. The week’s programme includes Youth Parliament, Consultations for National Youth Policy and the Tausala and Manaia pageant 2010 - 2012.


New Dialysis Unit to be built in Tuasivi

Cabinet has approved the building of a new dialysis unit at Tuasivi, Savaii.

It’s been five years since Government has established a dialysis unit in Upolu for treatment of both local and dialytic patients from abroad. This has also enabled Samoan patients who were referred to New Zealand for treatments to return home. The Government desires that its time this service be extended to Salafai since patients from Savaii have since moved to live in Upolu for treatments.


Farmex Technologies Ltd awarded contract to supply & install Water Treatment Plant

Cabinet has approved the purchase and installation of a Water Treatment Plant for Aleisa village to Farmex Technologies Ltd.

The Samoa Water Authority recommended the Farmex Company to supply and install the Water Treatment Plant. Five similar machines were installed for Lepa, Piu, Togitogiga, Tafitoala and Fagalii villages by Farmex and Bluebird Ahlal joint venture.

Other reasons include saving time and satisfactory outcome of the project.

The recommendation was assessed by a Sub-Committee for the Tenders’ Board before submitting it to Cabinet for approval.


Contracts awarded for the construction of roads

Cabinet has awarded the construction and tar-sealing of roads in Upolu and Savaii as listed below:
 

Invitations for bids were advertised for Expressions of Interest. The applications were assessed by a Sub-Committee for the Tenders’ Board.

After assessment, the contracts for Construction and tar-sealing of the abovementioned roads were awarded to the winning contractors.


Contracts awarded for Rubbish Collection and Landfill Maintenance Services

Cabinet has approved the awarding of contracts for Rubbish Collection and Landfill Maintenance Services for zones in Upolu and Savaii as listed:
 

Invitations for bids were advertised for Expressions of Interest. The applications were assessed by a Sub-Committee for the Tender’s Board.

After assessment, the contracts for Rubbish Collection and Landfill Maintenance Services were forwarded for approval.
 

(Photos: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: ASCC student organizations aid Hope House
Source: American Samoa Community College Press Release

Thanks to two student organizations at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), the residents of Hope House at Fatuoaiga had something extra to celebrate over Thanksgiving. The Students Association for Faasamoa and the ASCC chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society organized separate fundraising activities on behalf of Hope House, and later presented the results of their efforts to the staff and residents in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
The Students Association for Faasamoa, based at the College’s Samoan Studies Institute (SSI), visited Hope House the weekend before Thanksgiving to present eight gift baskets containing bath items, along with canned food, bed sheets, and a small monetary gift. They also performed songs and dances for the appreciative Hope House residents, including a taualuga by newly crowned Miss ASCC and Association member Toefuata’ina Ta’ai.

SSI Director Okenaisa Fauolo-Manila explained that members of the Students Association for Faasamoa have an interest in learning more about their culture and participating in activities beyond the scope of their regular Samoan classes. “We create a semester calendar of different activities they participate in,” she said. “Recently, the activities have included the last two ava ceremonies to welcome visitors from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Pacific Postsecondary Education Council (PPEC). The Association also provided entertainment for the PPEC concluding ceremony and the recent Miss ASCC Pageant. Our highlighted theme for all these activities is ‘tautua’ or service. We strive to develop a student with well-rounded academic, social and cultural skills.”

The ASCC chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society also visited Hope House shortly before Thanksgiving to present a monetary gift which it had raised over the preceding weeks. Earlier in the semester, PTK members arranged to have secured “penny jars” and boxes for canned food items placed at many of the division offices around the ASCC campus so that individuals could donate spare change or food as they wished. “The money from the penny jars came to more than $600,” said PTK advisor Tina Tapuai. “Then PTK added a contribution of their own to bring the total monetary donation to Hope House up to $1000.”

In addition to the money, the PTK received boxes of canned foods as well as baskets of coconuts, taro, papaya, lettuce, au fa’i, and bunches of green onions and beans from PTK member Easter Kim. “Sister Elsa, her staff and the residents of Hope House were thankful and gave their blessings to ASCC,” said Tapuai. “Part of our mission with PTK is to help the community,” said Elvis Zodiacal, another of the PTK advisors. “Each semester we organize some sort of community service activity, and during the fall we’ve been pretty consistent with organizing a donation to Hope House prior to Thanksgiving.”

The Hope House Ministry is the only residential facility in American Samoa offering around-the-clock care for the elderly, disabled, and the “poor and abandoned” who suffer from a variety of medical situations, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, intellectual disability, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, juvenile arthritis, and physical disability due to accident. The facility has a staff of caregivers, including nurses, as well as cooks, laundry and housekeepers, maintenance workers. Hope House supports its staff salaries by securing donations from local businesses, seeking grants from other organizations and hosting fundraising activities.

Photo Captions: Newly crowned Miss ASCC and Students Association for Faasamoa member Toefuata'ina Ta'ai visits with a Hope House resident and the hardworking sisters of Hope House during a presentation of supply and monetary donations by the Association and faculty from the Samoan Studies Institute just prior to Thanksgiving.
 

FIJI: WWF study shows decline in Fiji marine turtle shell trade
Source: World Wildlife Fund

The marine turtle derivatives trade in Fiji is showing a marked decrease compared to previous years, a new report from WWF South Pacific says.

The result of four years of surveys conducted in all municipal markets around Viti Levu, Turtle shells and derivatives looks at the trade in marine turtles shells, products and other species in Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island.

It reveals that while sea turtles face many threats in the wild, their biggest challenge comes from human demand for subsistence and traditional products derived from their shells.

The report specifies that Fiji’s Turtle Moratorium needs to be amended if this iconic species is to survive. For example, the Moratorium currently allows exemptions if turtle shells or their derivatives are used as ceremonial tokens of appreciation or for other traditional purposes.

Capacity to monitor the number of turtles captured and the trade for its meat, shell or eggs also needs further strengthening, the report says, to guarantee the long-term survival of Fiji’s threatened marine turtles.


Awareness campaigns have been effective for consumers and vendors

However, an increase in awareness campaigns developed by government, NGOs, and media over the past few years have had a positive impact on conservation, with more people now taking action to protect Fiji’s threatened marine turtle populations.

Lead author and WWF South Pacific marine species officer Merewalesi Laveti highlights in the report that the enforcement of the Endangered and Protected Species Act (1998) and the extension of the turtle moratorium have further enhanced the protection and conservation of marine turtles.

“A total of 102 traders were extensively interviewed for this report and they have indicated the lack of demand from consumers for turtle derivatives”, she said. “Consumers who had an interest in turtle derivatives have made a shift to wooden artefacts.”

Results from the survey also indicate a change in vendor behaviour, which has been brought about thanks to ongoing campaigns to raise public awareness on Fiji’s endangered marine turtles.

“The change in vendor behaviour shows that the Endangered Species Protection Act and the Turtle Moratorium have been effective in enforcing laws on the ground and increasing levels of public awareness.”


Black market remains an unknown quantity

The report shows that the 57 turtle shells sold in the markets from 2006 to 2008 decreased to none in 2009. However, this figure does not reflect the level of underground trading in black markets.

“Instances where the derivatives were found, dealers explained that the items were on the shelves from previous years. This is an achievement that would not have been possible without effective partnerships,” Laveti said.


Other species of concern remain on the shelves

While there has been a noticeable decline in the sales of turtle shells and derivatives, the sale of other species - which the report calls “species of special concern” - continued to sell in larger volumes in fish and municipal markets around Fiji.

Species falling into this category include the near threatened juvenile Black tip shark and the endangered Hammerhead shark, which are usually sold for food. The report says this illustrates a lack of enforcement on fishing size limits as well as general awareness on what species need to be protected.

In most cases fish species of special concern tend to be ignored by traders and continue to appear in markets due to consumer demand.


Continuing to work with other stakeholders to protect marine turtles and other species of concern

The WWF South Pacific species programme works closely with the Fiji Sea Turtle Steering Committee (FSTSC) to improve awareness on the need for conservation and protection of the sea. Composed of turtle conservation stakeholders, the steering committee is also looking to extend their mandate to cover species of special concern such as the sharks, humphead wrasse and bumphead parrotfish.

Turtle shells and derivatives reiterates the need to enforce existing regulations but at the same time recognises the need for increased financial assistance to be focussed on initiating and continuing research for new information about marine turtle population in Fiji.
 

(Photo: Oceania Football Confederation)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Referee course ends on high note 
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

The FIFA follow-up elite refereeing course held in Honiara has ended on a high note with the graduation of its 27 participants.

The course was run by Oceania's FIFA Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP) team and was led by referee development officer Massimo Raveino, referee instructor Neil Poloso and fitness instructor Kader Touati.

It introduced the referees taking part to stricter fitness requirements, as well as giving them a renewed insight into the FIFA Laws of the Game.

Raveino thanked the referees for participating and called on them to work together with the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) administration.

"We are here to serve the interests of SIFF," he said. "We are not here for our private interests but we are here to develop refereeing and football in general."

Participant John Sa'ohu said the week had been very fruitful and those taking part had learned many things that would help them in their refereeing careers.

"We have truly gained a lot during this week from the course," he said. "We would like to thank the instructors for their dedication in the delivery of this programme."

SIFF general secretary Eddie Ngava joined the referees in congratulating the FIFA RAP team on their work.

"This week I witnessed a very passionate delivery of the content and I am very pleased that our referees are in a position to benefit from the training provided by this energetic team," he said.

Ngava also commended the referees by saying: "I would like to congratulate the referees who attended this course for their courage in making the choice to be a part of football."

SIFF referee development officer Justin Mutukera is happy with how the course went but acknowledged that certain areas have been highlighted in which local referees need to work hard on throughout next year.

"Our referees need to improve on how they understand the laws of the game and also on their fitness," he said. "These will be areas my office will work on so that performances from our team members are at the expected standard."

The FIFA follow-up elite refereeing course will be held again in the Solomon Islands during November, 2011.
 

(Photos: Secretariat of the Pacific Community)

WORLDWIDE: Finding common ground between conservation & fisheries management
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community Press Release

Representatives from national government conservation and fisheries departments and regional and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are meeting at the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) from 29 November to 3 December 2010. The purpose of the meeting is to bring together the main stakeholders working in the area of implementing CEAFM (community-based ecosystem approach to fisheries management) to discuss management, monitoring activities and the challenges faced; share experiences and lessons learnt; and find common ground between the conservation and fisheries management and monitoring approaches in the Pacific.

The Pacific region is facing the growing challenge of overfishing of coastal resources that traditionally have been harvested for subsistence purposes. There are also non-fisheries issues and concerns that directly affect fisheries, coastal resources and habitats, such as land-born pollution, sediment runoff and coastal development projects. These activities need to be accounted for in an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. Recently, there has been an increasing focus on harvesting resources for livelihoods, adding more fishing pressure to these stocks. Estimated population growth in the Pacific region (+50% by 2030) and dealing with possible climate change threats also exacerbate the problem, and in many cases could lead to overfishing and loss or damage to habitats.

A number of regional organisations, NGOs and Pacific Island countries and territories are involved in implementing community ecosystem approaches to management and monitoring programmes. There are a range of approaches being implemented, and in some cases there is a lack of coordination with other activities in the same country or within the region.

The workshop is organised by the Coastal Fisheries Programme of SPC, with the financial support of the European Union under the Scientific Support for the Management of Coastal and Oceanic Fisheries in the Pacific Islands Region (SciCOFish) project. The 80 participants are being brought together with the goal of developing common approaches and a way forward for in-country implementation. The themes for discussion are:

* What role should each stakeholder have in the fisheries management?

* What legislative or policy actions are required to effectively support CEAFM?

* What monitoring and data collection methods can be standardised and how?

* How do we implement a standardised approach to CEAFM ensuring a common message is given to communities?

* What are the specific short-term and long-term actions to undertake and by whom?

The outputs and recommendations from the workshop will help those involved in promoting and implementing CEAFM improve service delivery at the community level, with consistent messages being delivered and complementary management and monitoring systems put in place and coordinated. They will also strengthen collaborations and partnerships and take into consideration possible climate change effects and the need for adaptation.

Photo Captions: Participants at the CEAFM workshop, SPC headquarters, Noumea, 29 November-3 December 2010.