Environment
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.
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.
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.
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.
Couple make good use of fish waste as fertiliser
Friday 28 February 2014 | Published in Environment
With a defiant grin, Philippe Gontard plunges his arm deep into a blue drum filled with oily, ground-up fish carcasses.
Tuna would fill 10 sports stadiums
Friday 28 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Enough skipjack tuna is being caught in the western and central Pacific Ocean to fill ten sport stadiums worth of canned fish each year, according to a leading scientist.
TIS concerned at ongoing use of FADs
Thursday 27 February 2014 | Published in Environment
An official with local conservation group Te Ipukarea Society is concerned with possible increased use of Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs), following recent news that the Cook Islands has negotiated an expansion to the purse seine fishery.
Protest held at TMV launch
Saturday 22 February 2014 | Published in Environment
A small protest against Te Mato Vai was held Thursday during the water infrastructure project’s launch event.
Fishing licences worth $5m
Friday 21 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Licence fees paid by local and foreign fishing vessels contributed $5 million to the Cook Islands economy last year.
'Ship owners should get a warning'
Friday 21 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Those responsible for the ship which left black patches of soot on the water outside Avatiu Harbour this week should receive a warning, says the National Environment Service.
Smoke settles on water at Panama
Thursday 20 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Plumes of black smoke from a cargo ship settled on the water outside Avatiu Harbour and created what looked like an oil slick on Tuesday.
Keep pets at home to avoid fish poison
Friday 14 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Pet owners are encouraged to watch out for their animals grabbing a fishy snack on the sly, after recent cases of fish poisoning at Esther Honey.
Slash and burn in war on Mauke armyworm
Thursday 13 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Armyworm infested taro patches on Mauke are being slashed, burned and sprayed with biological agents in an effort to bring the outbreak under control and save the root crop.
Auditors assessing eco-certification
Wednesday 12 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Auditors were recently in the Cook Islands undertaking an assessment of the nation’s albacore long line fishery for the purpose of obtaining a globally-recognised standard of sustainability.
Need for more informed tuna media coverage
Wednesday 12 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Cook Islands News reporter Ben Chapman-Smith has joined contemporaries from all over the Pacific in Noumea this week to learn more about the tuna industry.
President wins fishing comp
Tuesday 11 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Nearly 400kg of fish was reeled in during the weekend’s annual game fishing Weighmaster’s competition.
Te Mato Vai start date pushed back
Tuesday 11 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Work on replacement ring mains – a major component of the $60 million Te Mato Vai water infrastructure project – has been pushed back.
Tenders sought for airport solar work
Thursday 6 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Local companies are being invited to tender for the construction of a large solar power system at Rarotonga International Airport.