Environment
Earth Hour is here again - tonight!
Saturday 29 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Every year Earth Hour organisers encourage people around the world to turn off their lights for one hour and tonight is the night.
MMR catch verification questioned
Saturday 29 March 2014 | Published in Environment
A former fisheries director says the Ministry of Marine Resources has not proven it has adequate catch verification systems in place for its proposed quota system.
Solar system to cover big area
Friday 28 March 2014 | Published in Environment
A massive new solar power system being built beside Rarotonga Airport will be the size of several house sites and comprise 3800 panels.
Fishery surveillance in the spotlight
Wednesday 26 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Fisheries officials from all 17 member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency are in Honiara this week, discussing work to monitor offshore fishing.
Climate change to disrupt food supplies, growth
Tuesday 25 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Global warming will disrupt food supplies, slow world economic growth and may already be causing irreversible damage to nature, according to a United Nations report due this week that will put pressure on governments to act.
Airport solar project to cost $3m
Saturday 22 March 2014 | Published in Environment
A large solar power system being built at Rarotonga International Airport will be the biggest in the country and is expected to cost about $3 million.
Quota system answer to overfishing?
Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Implementation of a new fisheries management system in the Cook Islands will aid conservation efforts and address the issue of overfishing, says the Ministry of Marine Resources.
Kiwi company gets big solar contract
Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Environment
A Kiwi company has been awarded the contract to build a large solar power system at Rarotonga International Airport, starting next month.
Coral reef in good health - report
Thursday 20 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Coral reefs in the southern group of the Cook Islands were found to be in good health with good coverage according to a recently released study.
Rare whales shot and bludgeoned to death
Tuesday 18 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Necropsies conducted on the two rare young beaked whales discovered dead on the shores of Mangaia in earlier this year have found that the whales were shot and bludgeoned to death.
Impressive fishing tail
Tuesday 18 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Looking very pleased with himself is Junior Ioaba, co-owner of Marlin Queen fishing charters, seen drying out (showing off) the tail of a 327.4kg blue marlin mounted on his truck.
More than a fifth of households behind on payments for sanitation system upgrade
Monday 17 March 2014 | Published in Environment
More than 20 per cent of households in a sanitation system upgrade project in Muri/Avana are behind on payments.
PICI continue monitoring turtle nests on Mauke
Monday 17 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Sand mining in a known turtle nesting area on Mauke could be having a major effect on the number of turtles left.
Whales to be filmed by expert in Cooks
Monday 10 March 2014 | Published in Environment
One of the world’s top underwater photographers is coming to the Cook Islands later this year to capture stunning images of whales swimming in our waters.
Workshop focusing on emerging marine park
Friday 7 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Stakeholders of the Cook Islands Marine Park participated in a workshop earlier this week meant to deal with key issues in laying a foundation for the emerging conservation zone.
Oceania bid to protect endangered sharks
Friday 7 March 2014 | Published in Environment
More than 60 people from nine countries met recently to develop a plan to implement the new Appendix II listings for sharks under CITES, the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which will have ramifications for the future of the shark fin trade in the Pacific.
Shark fin regulations must be enforced, says conservationist
Wednesday 5 March 2014 | Published in Environment
A key individual behind the creation of the Cook Islands Shark Sanctuary says regulations meant to protect sharks should be enforced, not applied arbitrarily by government officials at their own discretion.
Avatiu Stream to be unblocked
Tuesday 4 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Heavy swells have created a build-up of sand at the entrance to Avatiu Stream, causing the water to turn green and stagnant.
Opposition slams shark fin let-off
Tuesday 4 March 2014 | Published in Environment
Democratic Party leader Wilkie Rasmussen has blasted the response of officials after shark fins were recently discovered by police during the inspection of a foreign fishing vessel.
Shark fin boat sent on its way
Saturday 1 March 2014 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Environment, National
Shark fins were recently discovered by Cook Islands maritime police during the inspection of a Chinese-flagged longline fishing vessel.