Environment
Blue invader no threat to humans
Thursday 29 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Thousands of small blue jellyfish-like creatures known as “By-the-Wind Sailor” were spotted washed ashore along the beach between the Fishing Club and Club Raro yesterday.
'Consultation' concerns TIS
Monday 26 November 2018 | Published in Environment
For the past few weeks the Sea Bed Minerals Commission has been conducting public consultations, and some closed workshops, about the Government’s proposal to tender for exploration licences for seabed mining early in 2019.
Action on illegal dump falters
Monday 26 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Efforts by the National Environment Service to take action over an illegal dump in Akaoa No1 Road appear to have become mired in bureaucracy.
'Majority' support seabed strategy: DPM
Wednesday 21 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Deputy prime minister and Minerals and Natural Resources minister Mark Brown says he is pleased the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Sector Strategy Public Consultations in Rarotonga have been positive, with “the majority” of the public supporting the recently-developed draft strategy.
Mining talk horrifies visitor
Wednesday 21 November 2018 | Published in Environment
A visitor who says he overheard two conversations last week between a group of Americans as to how they could best take advantage of seabed mining in the Cook Islands, says he was so disturbed by the conversations, he decided to go public with them.
Latest litter survey results 'rubbish'
Tuesday 20 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Who said picking up and separating your trash wasn’t fun?
Conference focuses on plastics
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Research shows that if nothing changes, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.
Biosecurity focus of summit meeting
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment
Participants from the outer islands are attending a wide-ranging Biosecurity Summit on Rarotonga at the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) premises.
Govt's seabed minerals plan meets backlash
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Environment
At a public consultation in Titikaveka last week, there was backlash to government’s plan to issue foreign companies five-year licences to explore the Cook Islands’ seabed.
Seabed minerals updates continue
Monday 12 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Three Seabed Minerals update meetings for the public on Rarotonga ended last Thursday night.
TIS and partners go gardening
Monday 12 November 2018 | Published in Environment
This weekly column is supplied by Te Ipukarea Society. It deals with conservation and environment matters of interest to the Cook Islands.
Biological controls under the microscope
Friday 9 November 2018 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment
Discussions and field trips involving the biological control of economically and environmentally important weeds in the Cook Islands, were held at the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday and Thursday.
New 'eye in the sky' checks CI waters
Friday 9 November 2018 | Published in Environment
A Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) maritime surveillance aircraft has been based at Rarotonga International Airport for a week, flying patrols in the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone.
Wastewater systems to blame for nutrients
Friday 9 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Extensive environmental investigations into the state of Muri Lagoon by the Mei Te Vai Ki Te Vai project team have confirmed that nutrients from on-site wastewater systems are harming the sensitive Muri Lagoon environment.
Noted scientist applauds Marae Moana
Thursday 8 November 2018 | Published in Environment
Alan Friedlander is currently chief scientist for National Geographic’s Pristine Seas Project, an initiative that focusses on marine protection and raising awareness about why it’s necessary. The project is National Geographic’s largest initiative dedicated to environmental preservation. Friedlander has produced more than 100 scientific publications, 25 book chapters, 10 documentaries, and numerous articles that have been influential in his field. He currently heads the Fisheries Ecology Research Lab at the University of Hawaii.
Papua traffic limited to walkers
Thursday 8 November 2018 | Published in Environment
The public access restriction caused by Te Mato Vai Stage 2 water intake upgrade work has been lifted on the Papua intake, waterfall site and Papua end of the cross-island walk in Vaimaanga.
Koutu Nui renews tourism concerns
Wednesday 7 November 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
Koutu Nui has raised renewed concerns about the social and environmental impact from the blooming tourism industry in the Cook Islands.
New seabed minerals laws on way
Tuesday 6 November 2018 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands government intends to table new legislation relating to seabed minerals activities in December.
Muri study results out soon
Monday 5 November 2018 | Published in Environment
The Mei Te Vai Ki Te Vai project team (PMU) are preparing to release the results of their extensive environmental investigations this week.
Renewing PM's pledge to oceans
Wednesday 31 October 2018 | Published in Environment
This week, Kevin Iro is representing the Cook Islands at the Our Ocean Conference in Indonesia, a meeting of prominent leaders, ocean advocates, scientists, businesspeople, funders, scientists, non-profit organisations, and advocates from all over the world.
