Environment
Rain provides slight relief to Rarotonga’s depleted intakes
Tuesday 6 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, Local, National
The recent rainfall in Rarotonga should provide a slight respite for the island’s depleted catchment intakes, but more rain will be needed to get them back to full health.
Historic Tuna management procedure adopted
Tuesday 6 December 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Business, Economy, Environment, National
A management procedure was adopted at the 19th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission in Da Nang, Vietnam over the weekend but one NGO says it’s “disheartening” the agreement is non-binding.
Tuna industry calls for harvest strategy - ‘Keep stocks in the green’
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National, Regional
The tuna industry’s major players are calling for a more science-based approach to improve decision-making on management and conservation for skipjack tuna fisheries.
Get on the bus!
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National
Rarotonga and Aitutaki probably have among the highest numbers of motor vehicles per person in the world, meaning we are likely to produce among the most greenhouse gas emissions per person from motor vehicles.
Cook Islands supports bid for tighter restrictions on sharks
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National, Regional
Cook Islands supports the United States of America and Canada’s proposal to ban longliners using shark lines and wire leaders in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean in a bid to save critically endangered shark species.
Intakes in dire situation
Friday 2 December 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Due to the extreme dry spell, To Tatou Vai urgently advises people on Rarotonga, particularly in Arorangi and Vaka Puiakura, to use water sparingly.
Cook Islands calls for global treaty to end plastic pollution
Friday 2 December 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National, Regional
An emotional plea made by the Cook Islands to over 190 countries gathered to negotiate a new treaty on plastic pollution was met with strong applause in Uruguay this week.
Time for cameras on longliners: NGOs
Friday 2 December 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National, Technology
A Covid-19-induced break in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s (WCPFC) observer programme is evidence cameras are needed on ships, says an environmental NGO.
Permit extension approved ‘without oversight’: TVOM
Friday 2 December 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
An environmental advocacy group is concerned a permit for a major water project has been renewed ‘without oversight’.
‘Serious’ water shortage
Tuesday 29 November 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Local, National
Dear Editor, I was shocked to see water running in a pig pen a few days ago unattended and another today (yesterday) spilling onto the road within 200 metres of each incident.
Fish harvest strategy ‘removes politics and focuses on science’
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown claims the country is part of the best-managed tuna fishery in the world, but Glen Holmes from Pew Research’s international fisheries programme says this would be true if a harvest strategy is implemented.
Water intakes ‘under stress’: Unsupervised scrub fires resulting in unnecessary usage
Friday 25 November 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The recent ‘light rain’ had no impact on the water intakes due to the extremely dry weather, and some areas on the island are without water due to the lack of flows in the catchment stream intakes.
Livestock owners urged to look after their animals
Thursday 24 November 2022 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
Livestock owners on Rarotonga and the Pa Enua are being urged to look after their animals during this dry spell. Ministry of Agriculture secretary Temarama Anguna-Kamana reminded livestock owners the need to provide water daily to their animals
Livestock owners warned of disease risks
Wednesday 23 November 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
Farmers have been warned to be on the lookout for African swine fever (ASF) and foot and mouth disease (FMD).
Environmental advocates raise concerns about Rarotonga water facilities
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
Community group Te Vai Ora Maori (TVOM) is calling for the National Environment Service to protect Rarotonga's freshwater streams in the wake of upcoming permits being assessed.
‘There is a growing waste crisis in the Cook Islands’ - Abandoned vehicles adding to spiralling cost of waste management
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands environment agency boss Halatoa Fua has labelled the nation’s abandoned vehicles as a ‘legacy’ waste issue.
Palmerston community and partners rally to rid the island of rats
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
Invasive species such as rats pose a threat to island biodiversity. They can impact nesting seabirds and turtles as well as native plants by feeding on native seeds.
Weighing up the alternatives in protecting the Cooks from coastal erosion: Where to next?
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
Avana Harbour on the eastern side of Rarotonga has been in the spotlight this week as residents awoke on Monday to find a digger dredging in the narrow stretch of water. Al Williams investigates what this project is all about.
PM calls for more climate funding
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown says funding for smaller nations affected by climate change must be accelerated.
Landowners annoyed with perceived lack of consultation around Avana Harbour project
Tuesday 15 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, Local, National
Landowners in the Avana Harbour area are hot under the collar after a digger turned up on Monday and started dredging in the narrow stretch of water.
