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Hidden treasures of our ocean

2 March 2025 - Among the Pacific islands, Fiji is home to six species of seagrass, each contributing to the vitality of its coastal ecosystems.

These species, including Halodule pinifolia and Halophila ovalis, play a vital role in sustaining Fiji’s rich marine life and coastal communities. Yet, despite their importance, seagrasses remain an underappreciated resource, often overlooked in conservation efforts.

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Fiji committed to seagrass protection

March 1 2025 - Seagrass plays a critical role in our marine ecosystems, offering over twenty ecosystem services, including breeding grounds for fish, water filtration, and serving as significant carbon sinks. Its ability to store carbon twice as terrestrial forests (per hectare) underscores its importance in climate change mitigation.

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Shaping the way forward through seagrass mapping

28 February 2025 - Seagrass ecosystems are important in providing several ecosystem services. They provide habitats for marine species, including fish, reptiles, and invertebrates, contributing to wider, broader food webs. They also help to regulate water quality by filtering out pollutants and sediments.

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Blue Carbon Assessments and Capacity Building underway in PNG

5 February 2025 - Alotau, Papua New Guinea - The Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems (MACBLUE) project has launched a series of field assessments and capacity-building activities in Papua New Guinea to strengthen conservation efforts for vital coastal habitats.

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Collaboration Urged for Blue Carbon Conservation

6 December 2024 - The conservation and management of blue carbon ecosystems are not only important for current generations but for future generations as well.

This was the remarks shared at the recent MACBLUE Project National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting by the NSC Chair and Solomon Islands' Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology, Chanel Iroi.

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GIS tools important for decision-making

28 November 2024 - The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools and applications are important for addressing key coastal issues, says Johnie Tarry Nimau.

Nimau, the Vanuatu Focal Point for the Pacific GIS and Remoting Sense Council highlighted this during the 2024 Pacific Island GIS and Remote Sensing User Conference themed “Sustainable Management for coastal areas through remote sensing and GIS”.

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Fiji Mangrove Management Committee Convenes

27 November 2024 - The Fiji Mangrove Management Committee met this morning after a lapse of one year.

In his opening remarks, Chair Mr. Filipo Delai from the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources emphasised that the committee, established under the mandate of the National Environment Council, marks a crucial step in the conservation and management of mangroves.

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Conference to address key regional challenges

25 November 2024 - The one-week Pacific Islands GIS & Remote Sensing User Conference officially begins this morning.

Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council (PGSRC) Board Member Wolf Forstreuter shared the conference aims to bring together scientists, service providers, software companies, and government officials to exchange knowledge and tackle key regional challenges.

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Blue Carbon workshop strengthens Coastal Ecosystem Management and Carbon Storage in Vanuatu

21 November 2024 - More than fifty community members from Paonangisu and Siviri on Efate Province in Port Vila, participated in a community workshop on blue carbon.

The workshop took place on 16-17 October 2024, organised by the Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems (MACBLUE) project in partnership with the Vanuatu Department for Environmental Protection and Conservation.

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PNG, a step closer to blue carbon policy

3 October 2024 - In a concerted effort to shape the future of blue carbon ecosystem management in Papua New Guinea (PNG), a five-day writeshop was held at Koitaki Country Club in Sogeri last week. 

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Seagrass maps to be released soon

5th September 2024 - The Pacific Community (SPC) hosted a workshop showcasing first results of seagrass mapping in Fiji last week. The workshop also focused on best practices for seagrass field data collection, bringing together experts in geographic information systems and remote sensing.

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Tio calls for stakeholder support

21 August 2024 - Speech by Ms. Yvonne Tio – Executive Manager, Marine Environment, Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority during the Papua New Guinea National Blue Carbon Policy Roadmap Workshop held at Stanley Hotel from 21st to 22nd August.

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Local communities at the heart of policy roadmap

21 August 2024 - Speech by Ms. Debra Sungi – Acting Managing Director, Climate Change Development Authority during the Papua New Guinea National Blue Carbon Policy Roadmap Workshop held at Stanley Hotel from 21st to 22nd August.

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PNG spearheads region’s first blue carbon policy

21 August 2024 - The Papua New Guinea Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and the Conservation and Environmental Protection Authority (CEPA) has officially opened its National Blue Carbon Policy Roadmap Workshop this morning at the Stanley Hotel.

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Traditional Knowledge key for Ocean Management

22 July 2024 - The integration of traditional use and ownership rights into national blue economy and ocean governance approaches is a key priority, says Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Disaster Management’s (MECDM) Chanel Iroi.

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Blue Carbon: A lifeline for climate resilience

As the world's attention turns to the critical role of blue carbon ecosystems in combating climate change, Papua New Guinea (PNG) stands at the forefront of conservation efforts. The inaugural Management and Conservation of Blue Carbon Ecosystems or MACBLUE Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting held in the Central Province on the 23rd of April focused on policy roadmap for PNG and to nominate a Chair of the PSC.

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