Results for Pacific Ocean

A total of 3.2 tonnes of cocaine estimated to be worth more than half a billion dollars, intercepted by New Zealand authorities floating in the Pacific Ocean, is one of their single biggest seizures of illegal drugs. The unidentified location was described as “north east off New Zealand, six-days sailing in distance and in international waters,” they told a press conference today.

Palau’s reefs had the highest coral cover observed on the Global Reef Expedition—says the latest report from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, undertaking the largest coral reef survey and mapping expedition in history. “Palau’s coral cover is truly exceptional,” said Alexandra Dempsey, the Director of Science Management at the Foundation.

With a dire warning that, “If we do not act now, by 2050, 90% of the region’s coral reefs will be dead, and there will be no commercially exploitable wild fish stocks left,” the President of the Asian Development Bank, Mr Takehiko Nakao, launched an ‘Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies for Asia and the Pacific’ yesterday, 3 May in Fiji. By Pesi Fonua.

A two-year study on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Pacific Ocean has valued the loss at over US$600 million per year resulting in Pacific Island nations stepping up plans to deter and eventually stop illegal fishing activities.

The University of Sydney will be hosting a five day Pacific Studies conference from 22-26 April, 2014 that will look at action and adaption to climate change, and Australia’s role in the Pacific, among other topics. Senior Curator of Sydney University’s Macleay Museum and Conference Co-Convenor Jude Philp said the conference is an important way to draw attention to the need in Australia for more knowledge about the Pacific region.

The Commissioner of a newly established Global Ocean Commission, Aliki Faipule Foua Toloa from Tokelau is visiting Tonga this week. He aims to voice Pacific Islands concerns on the ocean to world leaders.

The Pacific Ocean faces threats from over-fishing, pollution and climate change. Annually more than 786,000 tonnes of fish are illegally taken from the Pacific and its tuna fisheries are in danger of being over exploited. “The Pacific Ocean unites all the countries in the region,” said Marea Hatziolos, Senior Coastal and Marine Specialist for the World Bank. “Tremendous progress has been achieved regionally in fisheries agreements and conservation, but the battle is not yet won. This is a timely focus, at a critical juncture for Pacific Island populations.”