Coral reefs in every region of the world are threatened by climate change, no matter how remote or well protected. Identifying and protecting climate refugia is a popular recommendation for coral reef management. Climate refugia are locations that maintain suitable environmental conditions for a resident species even when surrounding areas become inhospitable.
This report outlines a baseline assessment of the water quality, sediment quality and aquatic ecology of the Metapona River system downstream of Gold Ridge Mine, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. The assessment was conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology in the Solomon Islands Government. This assessment will provide the framework to establish an integrated environmental monitoring program for the Metapona River system.
The purpose of this research is to develop a robust water quality baseline data of relevant physical, chemical and biological parameters, over an 8-month period, 4 months in summer and 4 months in winter, at both low and high tides for three main estuaries along the Suva foreshore, where an increase in recreational water activity has been noted, as a result of urbanisation. Such a baseline is currently not available in the Fiji Islands. This investigation used affordable advanced and approved standard methods.
In contrast to the properly grim outlook of just a few decades ago, these are pretty good times for sea turtles. In a 2017 paper titled “Global Sea Turtle Conservation Successes,” Antonio Mazaris and colleagues reported that published estimates of sea turtle populations tend to be increasing rather than decreasing globally. We have also seen the status of some species improving in recent Red List assessments led by the IUCN-SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group, with both the leatherback and loggerhead improving to vulnerable globally (from critically endangered and endangered, respectively).
Refer to dataset description for information. Please use this version for double-sided printing.
Please refer to dataset description for further information.
Strandings of Oceania Database Protocols for data users
Circular cover letter that was sent out on 1st December 2021
Proposed Project Objective: Enhanced use of data for decision making in the environment sector throughout the Pacific region. Building on the tools and momentum the Inform project established, this scaled up project will expand the user base and fill significant gaps including in situ monitoring, increased partnerships between the environment ministries and other ministries, increase use of spatial tools, and the establishment of standardise environmental standards and key indicators for key resources.
Focusing management efforts on thermal refugia may only be effective in the short-term. Promoting adaptation to higher temperatures and facilitating migration will instead be needed to secure coral reef survival.
This assessment will provide the framework to establish an integrated environmental monitoring program for the Metapona River system.
At present in the Fiji Islands, no guidelines are available only for biological parameters for receiving water bodies commonly used for recreational activities. The ANZECC (2000) guidelines recommend the use of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococci (Faecal Coliforms) as indicator organisms for fecal contamination of fresh and marine recreational water. This study compiled results for 3 biological parameters, namely, Total Coliforms (TC), E. coli and Faecal Coliforms (FC) at 3 sites in Fiji, namely; My Suva park, Wailea settlement and Centre Point.
The National Environment Management Strategy will guide the MECDM to address environment issues and promote better livelihoods for the country.
As an environmental policy framework with strategic directions, the NEMS has the potential to strengthen partnerships within sectors and provide opportunities for funding support from donor partners. The NEMS is a sign of commitment by MECDM to ensure national development targets and sector planning activities are carried out coherently, and promote environmental sustainability.
The strategy will guide the MECDM to address environment issues and promote better livelihoods for the country.
As an environmental policy framework with strategic directions, the NEMS has the potential to strengthen partnerships within sectors and provide opportunities for funding support from donor partners. The NEMS is a sign of commitment by MECDM to ensure national development targets and sector planning activities are carried out coherently, and promote environmental sustainability