Environment
Understanding the importance of Oceans Day
Wednesday 9 June 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
Eight government agencies participated in World Oceans Day yesterday, sharing information and advocacy for environmental awareness under the theme ‘Life and livelihoods.’
Sydney Opera House lit with Piho’s photography to mark Oceans Day
Wednesday 9 June 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
Award winning photographer Charlotte Piho had five of her photos featured alongside many of Australia’s most respected artists on the sails of the Sydney Opera House to mark World Oceans Day.
Local participation in regional fisheries meet
Tuesday 8 June 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands was one of 22 Pacific island countries and territories that met last week for the thirteenth SPC Heads of Fisheries meeting.
Old-growth trees cut down to make way for beautification project
Thursday 27 May 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
The Avarua CICC Church proceeded on Wednesday with cutting down six ironwood (toa) trees in preparation for what it described as a beautification project, which it expects will commence in two years.
Vet trek to Aitutaki
Wednesday 26 May 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
A much needed expedition by a group of veterinarians to Aitutaki is underway to tend to the wild and free roaming cat population on the island.
Mozzies and chemicals causing concern for Raro runway residents
Monday 24 May 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, National
Some residents living alongside the seaside airport runway stormwater drain want it cleaned out, believing it’s breeding mosquitos.
Even with export ban, pa’ua recovery may take decades
Friday 14 May 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands National Environmental Services have reminded the public once again of the restrictions surrounding the removal of pa’ua (giant clam meat and shells) from the reef and taking the shellfish out of the country.
Sludgy dilemma: Dump or leave in water
Friday 14 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Two emergency proposals to handle the escalating waste problem at Rarotonga intakes have been put on hold, reports Melina Etches.
Injunction sought to stop dumping of water treatment sludge
Thursday 13 May 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
A group of landowners is seeking an injunction to stop Rarotonga's water agency dumping sludge removed from settling ponds, onto a Takuvaine property that’s next to taro patches.
Support for climate change research
Saturday 1 May 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
The procurement of new technology will help local conservationists monitor how warming oceans are affecting the marine environment around the globe.
Rarotonga water treatment waste ‘no gift to growers’
Monday 26 April 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
The proposal to reuse sludge from the new Rarotonga water treatment system for horticulture has been met with criticism from the local organic growers’ association.
Natura e te Moana e Atiu
Saturday 24 April 2021 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
On Tuesday this week, 19 students from Apii Enuamanu in Atiu jumped in the back of trucks, armed with cameras and heads filled with ideas on how to best capture images of what the environment means to them.
Pukapuka targets crown-of-thorns starfish
Friday 23 April 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
Pukapuka is working to remove crown-of-thorns starfish – taramea – from the Northern Group atoll’s reef to prevent the damage that it causes to the coral.
Aitutaki and Manuae surveys to aid marine management
Tuesday 20 April 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment
A Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) team has recently returned from their two-and-a-half-week expedition to Manuae and Aitutaki.
Pacific groups seek UK support to halt deep sea mining
Tuesday 20 April 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands environmental group Te Ipukarea Society has joined groups from across the Pacific asking the British government to support calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining.
Enhancing a climate resilient marine sector
Thursday 15 April 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
On the island of Aitutaki, efforts are underway to reverse the major declines in important marine resources caused by a combination of climate-driven and human-derived stressors.
2020 unusual season for whale researchers
Saturday 3 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Environment, National
Despite challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic, Cook Islands Whale Research is describing 2020 as an intriguing but ultimately successful year for furthering our understanding of earth’s largest mammals.
Government aims for marine resources sustainability with modern approach
Thursday 1 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Environment, National
Government says it has no intention to legislate Ra’ui to manage the country’s reef and lagoons, opting instead to introduce contemporary approaches that aim to address perceived over-harvesting of resources.
Water project grievance filed
Monday 29 March 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, National
Government proceeded with infrastructure construction of Rarotonga’s water project before considering impacts, claims a local group.
Policy reversal by Opposition on seabed mining “very unwise”
Sunday 28 March 2021 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This article is Te Ipukarea Society’s response to the Democratic Party revision of their policy on deep sea mining, AS published in the Cook Islands News on March 17.
