THE IUCN WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS
OCEANIA
Newsletter No. 1 2014
Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier New Zealand awarded a Green Flag Award for high visitor standards.
Photo: Stefan Pasel
1. WCPA OCEANIA UPDATE
FROM THE VICE CHAIR
MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES
REPRESENTATIONS
NEWS OF MEMBERS
2. INTERNATIONAL NEWS
• TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY AND THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST
• WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTERACTING WITH NATURE?
• POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA UPDATE
• THE ROLE OF PROTECTED AREAS IN NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION AND RECOVERY
• WORLD PARKS CONGRESS 2014 - VIDEO PREVIEW
3. AUSTRALIAN NEWS
• LARGE RESOURCE PROJECTS APPROVED ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
• NEW NATIONAL PARK FOR TASMANIA
• RADIOACTIVE LIQUID SPILL AT ERA RANGER MINE IN KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
• WENLOCK RIVER AND STEVE IRWIN WILDLIFE RESERVE PROTECTED
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•
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•
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SCIENTISTS FREEZE CORAL SPERM TO HELP SAVE REEF
MACQUARIE ISLAND RECOVERY REPORT
CAPE YORK NATIONAL PARKS HANDED OVER TO TRADITIONAL OWNERS
NEW CONSERVATION PARK FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
ALL-TERRAIN WHEELCHAIR TAKES ON THE GREAT OCEAN WALK
4. NEW ZEALAND NEWS
• FIRST MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN NEW ZEALAND
• SHARK FINNING TO BE BANNED IN NEW ZEALAND
• DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FOR FIVE SITES
• FLUTTERING SHEARWATERS RETURN TO NEST AT MATIU/SOMES ISLAND IN WELLINGTON
HARBOUR
PACIFIC ISLAND AND PNG NEWS
5. PACIFIC ISLAND & PNG NEWS
• NASOATA ISLAND FOR RAMSAR LISTING
• NEW SPECIES OF FISH DISCOVERED OFF TIMOR LESTE
• LEGAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION A REGIONAL CONCERN FOR DEEP SEA MINING
6. UPCOMING
1. WCPA OCEANIA UPDATE
From the Vice Chair
Dear colleagues,
Only 267 days to go to the Congress! I hope you have been able to get to one of the briefing
forums but, if not, the website is comprehensive. www.worldparkscongress.org
There are a number of deadlines approaching – in particular the call for expressions of interest
in the streams i.e. to give a presentation will close on the 15th March. The main thing is to register
on the site for continues information flow. When you are ready of course ensure you formally
register.
There is an upcoming meeting in late March in Mexico of both the World Commission Steering
Committee and Stream Leaders. The meeting should resolve many issues and advance the
amount of material available on the content of streams. I am hoping to attend though family
matters may prevent this.
2013 ended with the 9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected
Areas in Suva, Fiji. The conference concluded with resounding support from delegates through
the adoption of the Laucala Declaration on Conservation in Oceania, the High Level Session
Statement on 10 Key Actions to Achieve Nature Conservation Outcomes in the Pacific, and
the draft Regional Framework for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in the Pacific
Islands Region 2014-2020. The undertakings and commitments made in these documents are
a testament to the continued importance of nature conservation efforts in the region.
Documents are available for download at http://www.sprep.org/pacificnatureconference
In Australia it has been a robust start to the year with major protected area issues in the news
from the Abbots Point port extension go ahead and approval for dredge spoil dumping in the
Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area to the proposal to rescind the World Heritage declaration
of 74,000 hectare of the forest declared last year. Many WCPA members are naturally involved
in the processes of these major issues. It is with some pride that we can say many of the experts
on these topics are Commission members. IUCN is adequately kept informed and put in touch
with appropriate experts.
Thank you to Louise O’Flynn editor and to Kathy Walls, Keith Twyford, Ann McCrone and Martin
Taylor for their contribution to this edition of the newsletter.
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Member Opportunities
WCPA office bearers are going to have a very busy year so we may not be able to arrange
major events. However I wish to flag one very important event which I would hope many
WCPA members might consider attending.
On 21st and 22nd July in Brisbane ACIUCN will hold a symposium on the full range of benefits
we gain from intact nature, often best protected in our national parks and other protected
areas, benefits which economists are now calling “ecosystem services”. Ecosystem services
include such benefits as fresh water, erosion prevention, pollination, nature based tourism,
habitat for threatened species, flood mitigation and climate change mitigation and
adaptation. However, more broadly the concept encompasses the contribution of
protected areas to human inspiration health and well-being (both mental and physical).
The symposium will look particularly at how protected areas, as our most effective
mechanism to protect these natural attributes, deliver benefits and how these can be
accounted for and valued. It will also address how intact nature holds strong cultural, health
and well-being values which people cherish and seek to secure and pass on to future
generations.
It will be the latest in the ‘Science informing Policy Symposium Series’ convened by the
Australian National Committee for IUCN. This symposium is in partnership with Griffith University
(Climate Change Response Program) and other partners to be confirmed. Its working title is
“From the Sublime to the Bottom Line”. We will also be generating a summary publication
directed at the World Parks Congress
Representations
In December the Vice Chair was the guest of the Council of the Australian Conservation
Foundation to promote the importance of the IUCN World Parks Congress and point out the
pathways to engagement.
News of Members
We are delighted that Sally Barnes is the new Director of National
Parks for Parks Australia. Like Peter Cochrane, who departed Parks
Australia in December Sally is a WCPA member. She has been the
head of Parks NSW in recent years and the Director of the Office of
the Environment.
Congratulations also to Doug Humann, former CEO of both NPPA
Victoria and longtime head of Bush Heritage and John Sinclair,
veteran defender of Fraser Island and champion of World Heritage
who were both honoured as Members of the Order of Australia
(AM). John Watson has retired after a long career with DEC
Western Australia and a great champion of connectivity
conservation in the botanically rich southwest of Western Australia.
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2. INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY AND THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST
The World Heritage List includes 156
properties explicitly recognised for their
outstanding biodiversity values, which
together represent the world’s major
ecosystems. However, some areas with
outstanding biodiversity values are still not
part of the network of ‘biodiversity World
Heritage sites’. To address this issue, IUCN
and UNEP-WCMC have developed a new
global thematic study to identify broad
gaps and potential candidate sites for
inclusion in the natural World Heritage
network with a focus on terrestrial
ecosystems. It also identifies potentially
outstanding biodiversity sites that may merit World Heritage listing. A study is also underway for
the marine realm. For further information, visit:
http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/wcpa_worldheritage/resources/publications/
?uPubsID=4905
Photo: Djoudj World Heritage Area, Senegal, West Africa P. Figgis
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTERACTING WITH NATURE?
A literature review by researchers from the
University of Queensland, University of
Exeter and De Montfort University on the
benefits of interacting with nature has
been published in the International Journal
of Environmental Research and Public
Health. The review looks at the mounting
empirical evidence that interacting with
nature delivers measurable benefits to
people.
The review discussed that evidence for the
benefits of interacting with nature is
geographically biased towards high latitudes and Western societies, potentially contributing
to a focus on certain types of settings and benefits. It also found that many types of benefits
of interacting with nature have been studied however the benefits to physical health,
cognitive performance and psychological well-being have received more attention than the
social or spiritual benefits. The evidence for most benefits is correlational, and although there
are several experimental studies, little as yet is known about the mechanisms that are
important for actually delivering these benefits. For further information, visit:
www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Photo: P. Figgis
POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA UPDATE
The High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda established
by the UN Secretary General issued its final report: “A new global partnership: Eradicate
poverty and transform economies through sustainable development” on 31 May 2013. The
document puts forward the main elements which the Panel considers should be taken into
account for the new development framework. It also gives an example of a set of Goals that
could be included in that framework. The IUCN has released a statement on the report which
can be found here:
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The Leadership Council of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, of which the IUCN
Director General is a member, also released its report to the UN Secretary General “An Action
Agenda for Sustainable Development”, on the 6 June 2013. The SDSN was set up by the
Secretary General of the UN in the aftermath of the Rio+20 Conference as a platform
engaging scientists, business and civil society leaders, and development practitioners for
evidence-based problem solving. It promotes solutions that demonstrate the potential of
technical and business innovations to support sustainable development. For further
information, visit www.unsdsn.org.
THE ROLE OF PROTECTED AREAS IN NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION AND RECOVERY
The Sanriku Fukko (fukko means reconstruction in Japanese) National Park is Japan’s most
ambitious “Green Reconstruction Project” – a philosophy of revitalisation for the northeastern
Japanese coast that also includes providing opportunities for local culture and lifestyles to
thrive.
Photo: Matsushima Bay, Sendai Coast, the worst hit area by the 2011 tsunami, Japan Travel
The 9.0 earthquake on March 11, 2011 razed a broad swathe of coastline and inland areas
around Sendai. Sanriku represents the potential of protected areas to contribute to natural
disaster reduction and recovery as well as the health and well-being of local people and
future sustainable economic development. The goal of Sanriku is to maintain conservation in
the area through collaborative and participatory rebuilding.
Toshio Torii, Director of the National Park Division of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan said
“It will inform visitors of nature’s benefits, while also providing them with an opportunity to learn
how the daily life and culture in the region are built upon nature. It is a living example of how
protected areas, including national parks, can play a key role in disaster risk reduction and
disaster reconstruction.” For further information, visit:
http://worldparkscongress.org/news/article/8_New_park_from_the_Japan_earthquake_and_
tsunami.html
WORLD PARKS CONGRESS 2014 - VIDEO PREVIEW
Check out the video preview of the IUCN World Parks Congress at:
http://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/?14275/IUCN-World-Parks-Congress---a-videopreview
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3. AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL NEWS
LARGE RESOURCE PROJECTS APPROVED ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Extensive media coverage means that all will be well aware of the large resource projects on
or adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef WHA which were approved by Environment Minister Greg
Hunt in early December 2013 and the subsequent approval of the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority for the dumping of dredge spoil in the World Heritage Area. The issues in fact
have made headlines around the world. We shall not reiterate the issues here as there is a
wealth of materials on the web.
At the same time as these decisions caused major media attention the Strategic Assessments
which have been undertaken by both Commonwealth and Queensland governments as a
preparatory step to developing a long term Strategic Plan for the future health and
sustainability of the Reef have been out for public comment. However, we do commend the
extensive submission prepared by WWF Australia and carried on their website and a summary
of the comments made by participants to the consultative meetings on the Strategic
Assessments held by the ACIUCN and attended by many Commission members.
The WWF Report can be downloaded here
http://www.wwf.org.au/?8920/New-report-Government-failures-put-Reef-World-HeritageStatus-on-the-line
The ACIUCN Report here
http://aciucn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ACIUCN-Submission.pdf.
NEW NATIONAL PARK FOR TASMANIA
On 19 December 2013 formal protection was granted to
over 95,000 hectares of iconic high conservation value
forest in Tasmania, 46,547 hectares of which is new
National Park. Forests including the Upper Florentine,
Styx, Picton and West Wellington are now protected from
logging under the State Nature Conservation Protection
Act 2002, underpinning their new World Heritage Area
status. Importantly this also transfers the management of
these previously ‘multiple use forests' from Forestry
Tasmania to Parks and Wildlife. This is an important
milestone in the ongoing implementation of the Tasmanian Forests Agreement Act 2013. To
view a map of the new reserves, visit:
http://tasmps.greens.org.au/sites/greens.org.au/files/u8532/Dec18_New%20Reserves%20Ma
p.pdf
RADIOACTIVE LIQUID SPILL AT ERA RANGER MINE IN KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
There was a major radioactive incident at a mine site inside Kakadu National Park in early
December 2013. Around one million litres of radioactive acid were spilled from a large above
ground tank at Energy Resources Australia’s (ERA) Ranger mine. The radioactive liquid flowed
outside the bunded area onto grassed areas and into the mine’s stormwater and drainage
system.
ERA claims that 'multiple containment systems prevented the spill having any impact on the
Kakadu National Park and that ''All water monitoring points have reported normal readings.
The Mirarr community downstream from the mine however, remain concerned over potential
environmental and health impacts
Environment Minister Greg Hunt said government officials have been on site. ''It is
unacceptable. It is something on which we have taken immediate action in terms of
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instructing the Supervising Scientists Office to attend, commanding there be an investigation
and instructing that there be an immediate clean-up.'' For further information, visit:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/radioactive-spill-in-kakadu-stirs-rage-201312082yzee.html#ixzz2nbTv8rUr
WENLOCK RIVER AND STEVE IRWIN WILDLIFE RESERVE PROTECTED
In a significant win for the
protection of Cape York Peninsula
and the rivers of northern
Australia,
the
Queensland
Government has announced that
the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve
and the Wenlock River on Cape
York Peninsula will be protected
from
mining.
The
Wenlock
catchment is an extraordinary
place, containing natural and
cultural values of World Heritage
quality. The river ranks number
one nationally for freshwater
biodiversity, is a haven for
endangered species including
the Freshwater Sawfish and Spear-toothed Shark and rare rainforest environments.
Photo: Wenlock River, one of the Cape York watercourses protected by Wild Rivers legislation. Source: The CourierMail
The announcement sees an end to a number of mining threats that previously faced the new
Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve and Wenlock. In particular Cape Alumina’s Pissolite Hills mine, which
would have involved the clearing of 6500 hectares of tropical savannah woodland, dredging
the nearby Port of Musgrave and the destruction of some of the most significant springs. For
further information, visit: http://cafnec.org.au/2013/12/wenlock-river-steve-irwin-wildlifereserve-protected/
SCIENTISTS FREEZE CORAL SPERM TO HELP SAVE REEF
Researchers on the Great Barrier Reef are freezing
coral sperm to stop some of the animal species from
becoming extinct. Over the past 30 years, nearly
half the coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef has
disappeared and researchers are concerned some
of the animal species could soon be wiped out.
Scientists from the Smithsonian Institute have joined
with Taronga Zoo and the Australian Institute of
Marine Science to begin the preserving process
that uses human fertility techniques to cryopreserve the reef.
Photo: commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA)
In November 2013, the researchers collected billions of coral sperm during the annual
spawning season. Some of the coral sperm could remain frozen for thousands of years. Other
sperm will be used to help grow new coral to replenish the Great Barrier Reef.
For further information visit: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-02/scientists-freeze-barrierreef-coral-sperm-to-curb-extinction/5128626?section=qld
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MACQUARIE ISLAND RECOVERY REPORT
Parks Tasmania reports that as part of the
Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project
(MIPEP), hunters on Macquarie Island have
walked the equivalent of nearly two
circumnavigations of the earth in their hunt for
any surviving rabbits, rats or mice since baiting
was completed in 2011. Project team leader,
Peter Preston, delivered his first report since
arriving on the island again in December. The
report documents his observation that the
island has changed in subtle ways through its
vegetation recovering on depleted and
damaged ground across the island.
Photo: MIPEP Staff. Parks & Wildlife Group Tasmania
In particular, the Macquarie Island cabbage has displayed a significant increase in cover and
health and Pleurophylum is appearing in many areas of the plateau that were previously
barren. Mr Preston considers this to be evidence of the ongoing effect of the project, where
rabbits and rodents have not been seen for a period of two years. Further information:
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=12997
CAPE YORK NATIONAL PARKS HANDED OVER TO TRADITIONAL OWNERS
In November 2013 over 354,000 hectares of state-owned and managed national park on the
Cape York Peninsula was handed back to Traditional Owners. In this historic event, Cape
Melville, Jack River and a series of smaller parks, including islands about 70km north of
Cooktown became Aboriginal-owned national parks under the Queensland government’s
long running land tenure resolution process.
The handover concluded over two decades of negotiation between Traditional Owners and
government that began in 1992 and has been made possible through bipartisan support for a
process of land tenure resolution unique to Cape York. For further information, visit:
http://www.acfonline.org.au/news-media/acf-opinion/cape-york-national-parks-handedover-traditional-owners
NEW CONSERVATION PARK FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
A new conservation park was established in late 2013 to
protect vulnerable South Australian native birds including
the Mallee fowl and the regent parrot. Ettrick
Conservation Park which covers around 484ha of land
north-east of Murray Bridge is open mallee made up of
several species of eucalypt and also home to one of the
few remaining examples of tussock grassland in this part
of the Murray-Darling Basin. Etrrick Conservation Park is
also home to 10 rare bird species, including shy heath
wren, hooded robin, white-winged chough, Jacky Winter,
restless flycatcher and painted buttonquail.
Further information:
http://www.murrayvalleystandard.com.au/story/1966160/ettrick-conservation-parkproclaimed/?src=rss Photo: Hooded Wren, DEWNR SA.
ALL-TERRAIN WHEELCHAIR TAKES ON THE GREAT OCEAN WALK
A specially designed all-terrain wheelchair known as the ‘Trailrider’ is now available at four
parks in Victoria. David Stratton was a keen bush walker until his Multiple Sclerosis condition
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meant he could only get around outdoors in a wheelchair. But in December 2013, he and his
family, accompanied by Parks Victoria staff, enjoyed the walk from Cape Otway Lighthouse
car park through to Aire River Camp Ground. Mr. Stratton said “It was bliss being out there with
the ocean at my side… I had no idea that this beautiful place existed in the world. It was
uplifting to be there.”
The Trailrider requires at least two helpers to push and pull the chair which has a unique one
wheel design. This means it can take people with mobility limitations into areas they would not
normally have access to. For further information, visit: http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/aboutus/news/all-terrain-wheelchair-on-the-great-ocean-walk
4. NEW ZEALAND NEWS
FIRST MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN NEW ZEALAND
A marine spatial plan for the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand largest and most used Marine Park, is
being developed through a collaborative plan-making process. Over the next two years these
agencies will be developing a non-statutory marine spatial plan for the Hauraki Gulf. It is the
first time marine spatial planning has been undertaken in New Zealand. This plan is intended
to provide a strong framework to guide the management of the Hauraki Gulf, and help shape
future agreements and statutory plans.
The plan will identify areas in need of protection, restoration and/or enhancement, as well as
areas that are appropriate for use and development. It will include management objectives
and methods, including any necessary catchment management.
WWF-New Zealand is involved in this project and has been tasked to increase public
awareness and participation. To find out more, visit: www.seachange.org.nz
SHARK FINNING TO BE BANNED IN NEW ZEALAND
In early January, the ministers for Conservation and Fisheries jointly announced the
Government’s decision to ban the practice of shark finning in New Zealand waters. Last year
a National Plan of Action for the conservation and management of sharks was released for
public comment and drew 45,300 submissions in favour of banning shark finning.
Globally, about 270,000 sharks are killed every day and the trade in shark fins is driving much
of this slaughter. This is causing a serious decline in the world's shark populations, and many
species are under threat. The new laws mean New Zealand will join around 100 countries and
states, including Australia, the EU and US, to ban shark finning.
There are 113 species of sharks in living in New Zealand’s waters. Seven shark and ray species
are already fully protected in New Zealand waters under the Wildlife Act.
The ban for remaining shark species comprises
three stages. Stage one will see the practice
of finning banned for some but not all shark
species in October 2014 and further species
will be included in the ban the following year.
However Blue sharks will not receive the
necessary protection until October 2016,
despite being the species most often caught
just for their fins in New Zealand waters. Most
blue sharks are caught as bycatch and pulled
into the boats alive. However, the three stage
approach toward a complete ban of all
species is a marked improvement on the
original proposal. Further information about
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the National Plan of Action and the consultation can be found at: www.doc.govt.nz/gettinginvolved/consultations/all-consultations/2013/national-plan-of-action-for-sharks-2013/
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FOR FIVE SITES
The prestigious “Green Flags Award” has been given to five new Department of Conservation
sites this year. The sites receiving awards are:
•
•
•
•
•
Lake Matheson Walk, near Fox Glacier Village
Ship Creek, Haast
Ruakuri Walk, Waitomo
Ruapekapeka Pa, Northland; and,
Wairongomai, Bay of Plenty.
The Green Flags Awards were established in the UK in 1996 and are a symbol of tourism
excellence for parks and green spaces. Sites must meet eight criteria, including sustainability,
conservation and heritage, community involvement and marketing. The Green Flag status for
each site lasts for a year after which time it is reassessed annually to determine whether green
flag status should be retained.
FLUTTERING SHEARWATERS RETURN TO NEST AT MATIU/SOMES ISLAND IN WELLINGTON HARBOUR
The fluttering shearwater, Puffinus gavia, (its Maori
name is “Pakaha”) is common around New
Zealand’s coastal waters and is often seen in
Wellington Harbour. The main breeding areas are
the islands off the coast of Northland, the Bay of
Plenty and the outer Marlborough Sounds.
However, fluttering shearwaters haven’t bred on
Matiu/Somes Island since pre-European times.
The Matiu/Somes Island Charitable Trust (MSICT)
has been working to restore a breeding colony of
these shearwaters on the island.
The first
translocation of 80 chicks to artificial burrows on the island was in 2012, the second was last
year and the third and final translocation has just been completed. The birds have been
brought to Matiu/Somes Island from Long Island in the Marlborough Sounds. Much of the work
has been carried out by volunteers.
Fluttering shearwater burrows are important to island ecosystems, providing nutrients and
shelter for native invertebrates and reptiles. Find out more about this and other ecological
restoration projects being undertaken by the Trust: www.matiusomestrust.weebly.com
Photo: MSCIT
5. PACIFIC ISLAND & PNG NEWS
NASOATA ISLAND FOR RAMSAR LISTING
Nasoata Island, in the Province of Rewa in Fiji, is being proposed as a Ramsar site or Wetland
of International Importance. Discussions are currently underway between the Fiji
Government, SPREP, USP, IUCN.
Nasoata Island belongs to the people of Nakorovou Village and is a predominantly
mangrove island located near the outflow of the Rewa River. The island is uninhabited
and is about 76 hectares in area, with the highest point reaching a mere 1.2 metres.
Professor Thaman led a team in 2005 who conducted a biodiversity profile of the island.
He found that the island has is one of the most distinctive and extensive mangroves
systems in Fiji and this part of the South Pacific hosting some 123 species of plants. The
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wildlife is very rich and include culturally important crustacean such as the mana or mud
lobster.
Mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses sequester and store large quantities of carbon
in the plants, and are 50 times more effective in sequestering carbon in their soils than
the equivalent area in tropical forests. However these systems are being degraded and
destroyed with a global annual loss rate of 0.7–3%.
Nasoata is an important food and income source - not only for the people of Nakorovou
but to surrounding communities as well. Its location is ecologically important because it
is a buffer between the Rewa River and the Nasilai coral reef system. It is also an
important breeding ground for sea birds. IUCN is working with the people of Nakorovou
to develop a co-management plan for the sustainable use of mangroves on Nasoata
Island.
NEW SPECIES OF FISH DISCOVERED OFF TIMOR LESTE
A new species of fish, called Evoita santanai has been discovered off Timor Leste by
Conservation International (CI). The pinkish-mauve-and-white fish was found in shallow water
in August 2012 during a survey of Nino Konis Santana National Park. The scientists also
discovered that Timor-Leste is third in the world for coral reef fish diversity.
The new species was named in honor of Connissio Antonio (commonly known as “Nino Konis”
Santana), a national hero in Timor-Leste’s recent struggle for independence. Nino Konis was
also known for his environmental awareness.
Candice Mohan, CI’s Timor-Leste country director, emphasized that the new species highlights
the importance of protecting the new national park established in 2007, and to follow up on
the no-take reserves that the nation has recently designated. Mohan said that the reserves are
essential for Timor Leste’s food security and economic development. “There is great potential
here for the establishment of well-managed, low-impact ecotourism activities around these
stunning reef habitats to provide sustainable livelihood options for the local people,” she said.
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/12/11/countrys-first-new-species-of-fishdiscovered/
LEGAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION A REGIONAL CONCERN FOR DEEP SEA MINING
Regional cooperation on establishing
rules and regulations for deep sea
mining could help overcome limited
capacity
in
smaller
countries,
attendees heard at the 4th Regional
Training Workshop: Environmental
Perspectives of Deep Sea Mineral
Activities in Nadi, Fiji in December
2013. Findings and opinions were
presented on the potential Impacts of
deep sea mining on fisheries, global
deep sea conservation initiatives and
waste dumping concerns.
Photo: ourpacificways.wordpress.com
Secretariat of the Pacific Community legal adviser Hannah Lily emphasised the importance
for Pacific Island countries to finalise their maritime boundaries before issuing DSM licenses. "We
need to think about how we can pool resources in a regional manner to build countries' ability
to regulate these (potential mining) areas" Ms Lily said.
Representatives from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands gave their views on
their current gaps in capacity to deal with deep sea mining.
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Gretel Orake from Papua New Guinea said her country had approved the world's first deep
sea mining operation, Solwara 1, in line with the government's Vision 2050 plan to double
mining income by 2030. For further information visit: http://www.sprep.org/biodiversityecosystems-management/legal-environmental-protection-a-regional-concern-for-deep-seamining
6. UPCOMING
Connect With Nature, 3-9 March 2014
Parks Week is an annual celebration of the important role that our parks play in contributing
to the health of our communities. A range of formal and informal events take place across
Australia and New Zealand during parks week - Parks Week aims to highlight and celebrate
the important role parks play across people, communities, and the natural environment;
encourage greater use of parks; celebrate the contribution that volunteers make to parks;
promote the healthy parks, healthy people message; promote park management agencies
and the work they do
http://www.parksforum.org/cms/pages/Parks-Week.html
ACIUCN “From the Sublime to the Bottom line”, 21st and 22nd July in Brisbane will hold a
symposium on the full range of ecosystems benefits. Reserve the dates and look out for
further information on the ACIUCN website- www.aciucn.org.au
Walk 21, 21-23 October 2014
In line with the messages of healthy parks the world's leading conference on walking will be
held in Sydney in October It will be held at Luna Park and jointly hosted by the NSW
Government and the City of Sydney.
http://www.walk21sydney.com/
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