NEWSPAGE 31 August
2009

(Photos: Auckland University of Technology)

NEW ZEALAND: AUT brings more Pacific news to Scoop website

(Photos: Stuart Chape / Alan Tye)

SAMOA: Protecting the natural heritage of Samoa
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

As fairytales go, Hamelin used a pied piper and pipes to rid the town of rats. In real life, Samoa is using a helicopter and rat bait.

The valuable native wildlife of Samoa’s Nu’utele and Nu’ulua islands is severely affected by the Pacific rat. These islands are two of the four which make up the Aleipata islands group. They are rich in Samoa's natural heritage but this heritage is under severe threat. For example, these islands are home to the last remaining Friendly Ground Doves, now one of the rarest birds of Samoa but which used to inhabit Upolu. Rats eat the eggs of the birds and other animal life, and they also have a negative impact upon the lowland forests by eating seeds and young plant shoots. If the natural heritage on the islands is to survive so that future generations can see the original wildlife and lowland forests of Samoa then action needs to be taken now to remove threats, including rats.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) of the Government of Samoa, Dr. Tu’u’u Ieti Taulealo, believes that partnerships are a special feature of this project, highlighting the importance of community support in sustaining nature conservation.

“This is the first project of its kind in Samoa, to protect our natural heritage. We want to see our unique plant and animal life thrive and I hope our community will see the value of this project and support further work in this area. It’s also a great opportunity for our staff to learn as we work in partnership with many other organisations out there to make sure this project is carried out effectively.”

In the early 1990s, biologists identified the forests of Nu’utele and Nu’ulua islands as among the best remaining lowland forests in Samoa. With lowland forest being the most threatened habitat in the Pacific, work to save this ecosystem in Samoa has become an environmental priority. An important first step in restoring these islands to their former glory is to remove the rats, which were brought there by early human colonists hundreds of years ago. The most effective way to do this is to use a helicopter to drop carefully selected rat bait as well as a lot of expertise, preparation and good weather.

The helicopter is used to fly above the two islands to drop brodifacoum bait, using a spreader to ensure it is dropped evenly and widely. Brodifacoum is the same chemical used in ordinary rat bait that anyone can buy in shops for use around the house, and has been developed specifically for mammals. A state of the art GPS tracking tool helps ensure that all areas of the two islands are scientifically covered by the bait. Two bait drops need to be made island wide at least a week apart to ensure all rats are eradicated.

This form of rat eradication has proven successful in New Zealand, Fiji and elsewhere. In New Zealand, a rat eradication project on Raoul Island helped the long term survival of threatened birds such as the Kermadec storm petrel, white tern and masked booby, while in Fiji rats have been eradicated from the Ringgold Islands and some others, to help the recovery of seabird populations and iguanas there.

“I think the opportunity for everyone to learn from this experience in Samoa is great and who knows? Maybe some of the other Pacific islands will see it appropriate for them to do likewise in their own communities,” said Dr Taulealo.

As a safety measure in the Nu’utele and Nu’ulua operation, Friendly Ground Doves were captured and removed first, in case the doves mistook the rat bait for food as they are ground feeding birds. The doves were kept in captivity during the operation.

“We’ve been working closely with experts from zoos around the world and built an aviary to house the doves temporarily. 23 doves are now being held in captivity, and we’ll return them after the operation when the baits are no longer a risk,” said Dr David Butler who is the project adviser.

“This is really the whole of Samoa’s Friendly Ground Dove population, and we needed to make sure they were safe.”

However, monitoring after the first bait drop showed that doves were still alive and healthy on the islands after the first bait drop, so these fears appear to have been unfounded.
“The significance of this project is that once all the rats are gone, all the original Samoan species of wildlife will breed much more successfully”

A large number of agencies have been involved in this project including the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) which is the implementing agency. SPREP has worked to ensure that this project, which was first conceived in the early 1990s, continued to take shape. The final project, which will also includes management of pest ants during 2010, is budgeted at just over USD 200,000.

“We are all pleased, especially everyone who has been involved in this since the beginning. It has been a priority of the MNRE in Samoa for a very long time. It’s also a good opportunity to demonstrate within Polynesia that this can be done and how it is done,” said Dr Alan Tye, the Invasives Species Officer of SPREP and the project’s manager. He echoes Dr Taulealo’s hope that other Pacific nations will take up the challenge of effective rat management.

“This project in Samoa is adapting techniques that have been developed and tested by New Zealand and which have recently proved effective in Fiji. The method is definitely appropriate for use throughout Polynesia.”

A major aspect of this project is the careful documentation, monitoring and evaluation, activities are filmed and recorded in full so that that lessons learnt can be passed on to other islands in the future.
 
While lessons include plenty of minor hiccups along the way, a more pressing concern is the good weather needed in Samoa during the month of the operation, to ensure the project can be carried out successfully.

The good weather is perhaps the trickiest part of this project.

This project is the work of many different partners; The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, David Butler Associates, New Zealand Department of Conservation, The Pacific Invasives Initiative, Wellington Zoo, and the Pacific Invasives Learning Network.

Funding was provided by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) through Conservation international’s Pacific Programme.

For more information please contact SPREP’s Invasive Species Officer Alan Tye at E:[email protected] T: (685) 21929 F: (685) 20231 W: www.sprep.org

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Aerial view of Nu’utele island.

Photo 2 - Richard Parrish, wild bird capture expert, holding a Friendly Ground Dove during the removal operation.

Photo 3 - Loading the helicopter with brodifacoum bait for the aerial drop.

Photo 4 - At risk... lowland forest on Nu’ulua island.
 

AMERICAN SAMOA: Faleomavaega extends condolences to families of fallen soldiers
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of SGT Vevesi Semu, Jr. and SGT. Malaefou Heather who both died recently from accidental incidents. Based on news reports, Sgt. Vevesi Semu died on August 9 from drowning during a family outing in the Ft. Hood, Texas area while Sgt. Malaefou Heather died on August 18 as a result of a car accident in the Fort Walton Beach, Florida area.

Sgt. Vevesi Semu, Jr. initially joined the U.S. Army Reserve in American Samoa before turning active duty in 2003. He was an Infantryman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. He was twice deployed to war - first in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from June, 2004 to June, 2005 and later Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2008 to May 2009. He is from Nu’uuli and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vevesi and Talaleu Semu.

Sgt. Malaefou Heather had just completed his second tour of duty in Iraq this past July. As a combat medic, Sgt. Heather served one tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2004 and completed two tours in Iraq as part of Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division- Baghdad. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Loo and Pimeneto Heather from the village of Leone.

“I am saddened by these upsetting and unexpected situations,” Faleomavaega said. “The way both of these young soldiers died is a tragedy - after both have served multiple deployments in war zones where death is most expected, it is hard to accept and believe the tragic circumstances concerning both of their deaths. Our country has lost two honourable service men, whose services will not be forgotten.”

“Again, I extend my most heartfelt sympathies to the families of both Sergeant Vevesi Semu and Sergeant Malaefou Heather. I pray for God’s peace and comfort for all of your families during this difficult time,” Faleomavaega concluded.
 

COOK ISLANDS: Government explores options for Maeva Nui travel
Source: Cook Islands News

Newly appointed secretary of culture Sonny Williams is facing one of the first challenges of his role - finding transport for Maeva Nui northern group tere parties.

Last week, Deputy prime minister and finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate met with Williams, financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti, Manihiki MP Apii Piho, Rakahanga MP Piho Rua, Taio Shipping’s Tapi Taio and Air Rarotonga managing director Ewan Smith for discussions on transport options for the teams.

Penrhyn MP Wilkie Rasmussen did not attend the meeting, although he was invited.

The latest suggested solution to the transport dilemma is a deal with Air Rarotonga and Taio Shipping.

This is seen as the most promising solution as government continues to weigh up its options.
Already several inquiries on possible options have been unsuccessful, but Williams with the assistance of the DPM and others is defiantly taking on the challenge.

Williams has said an NZ air force Hercules could assist with the transport of the teams if the NZ government will permit it.

DPM Office CEO Ratu Mato says Sir Terepai met with NZ High Commissioner Tia Barrett late last week to suss out a possible deal for a Hercules aircraft to get the teams here. The office is now awaiting a response from NZ.

An earlier option to charter the French Polynesian government-owned Tahiti Nui vessel has been deemed too costly.

Sir Terepai reportedly received a letter from the French Polynesian president Oscar Temaru stating that it would cost almost $1.3 million to charter Tahiti Nui.

Last year government chartered the vessel for the same purpose, putting aside $200,000 to cover the cost.

Government has also inquired with Air Tahiti Nui about a charter service to the north, and found it could not be done because of commercial aviation regulations.

In the meantime, Williams is responsible for negotiating a good deal for government and the northern group people.
 

(Photo: Fiji Times)

FIJI: Miss FNPF 'the new Hibiscus Queen'
Source: Fiji Broadcasting Corporation

Mere Nailatikau who was sponsored by FNPF was crowned the Vodafone Miss Fiji Hibiscus Queen 2009.

Miss FNPF beat 19 other contestants in the competition to claim the crown.

In her speech she thanked everyone for their tremendous support.

Miss Suva City Council Sera Fatahfehi was crowned the second runner up whilst the first runner up title went to Miss Sky Pacific Abbygail Young.

This year the selection criteria for Vodafone Miss Hibiscus Queen and the runner ups was different.

Out of the 20 contestants the judges came up with five finalists.

These five include the winners mentioned above and Miss Kydney Foundation Nehal Kapadia and Miss Heart Foundation/ Supreme Fuel Sulueti Waqa were amongst the top five as well.

The five contestants were asked different questions before the final judgment of the winners were made.

Meanwhile Mr Youth Champs twenty-five year old Gary Rounds was crowned the Vodafone Hibiscus King 2009.

The second Runner Up crown went to Mr Green Peace Fenton Lutunatobua whilst Manasa Vatanitawake Mr Active Paint was crowned the 1st runner up.

Mr Satish Motor Mart was announced the People’s Choice Mr King.

Photo Caption: Merewalesi Nailatikau waves to the crowd after being crowned Miss Hibiscus 2009.
 

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

WORLDWIDE: Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Programme underway
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

The Solomon Islands has signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project (PACC). This brings the total number of countries who have signed the PACC MoU to 10.

This enables the island nation to take their food security project to the next level in the Timotu Province. Swampy taro is the staple crop of the small atoll islands which are being affected by salt water intrusion as a result of climate change. Under the PACC, the Solomon Islands want to strengthen their food security, as an adaptation measure to cope with the impacts of climate change.

“We are looking at technical assistance to do a study that can provide us with a possible solution, perhaps saltwater tolerant crops? We are looking at those possibilities,” said Mr Rence Sore, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology of the Government of the Solomon Islands.

“This project is an excellent opportunity for the Solomon Islands to help face this century’s greatest challenge, climate change,” said Mr. Kosi Latu the Acting Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

“We’d like to congratulate the Solomon Islands on this move and the ball is now on their side of the court to run with. Hopefully, they should be able to expand this funding before the project timeframe expires”.

The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project (PACC) will bring a total of US$13.125 million dollars into 13 Pacific Island countries. This funding will help start adaptation projects on the ground in three major climate change concerns; food security, water and coastal management.

“For some time we’ve had a number of assessments, studies and many different types of policy work to help plan for climate change adaptation. Now this project has come on board we’ll be able to see some actual action, implementation of a project ‘on the ground’. The Government of the Solomon Islands is very appreciative of this,” said Sore.

The PACC is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as its implementing agency and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as implementing partner.

For more details please contact PACC Project Manager Taito Nakalevu at
E: [email protected] T: (685) 21929 F: (685) 20231 W: www.sprep.org

Photo Caption: (L-R) Acting Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Mr. Kosi Latu; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology of the Government of the Solomon Islands, Mr. Rence Sore.