Efforts to protect precious marine biodiversity by combining science and local knowledge are difficult but can work, reports Naomi Antony.
Along the coastline of Fiji, threatened fishing communities have been combining the ancient and the new in their fight to conserve precious marine resources.
Together with traditions remembered from centuries ago and community approaches to marine management, they are harnessing modern science to regain their livelihoods, and contribute to international efforts to safeguard the oceans.
But finding a balance between the local and the scientific has proved tricky. Without science, communities risk pursuing practices that have little long-term impact. But too much science can trample on a community's way of doing things — destroying the morale that lies at the heart of local conservation.
Read more: http://www.environmental-expert.com/articles/old-and-new-knowledge-combine-to-protect-fiji-s-fish-281478
Showing posts with label fiji. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiji. Show all posts
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Friday, December 2, 2011
Goats and rats removed from two Fijian islands
Invasive species Cast Away in Fiji
December 2011. Goats and rats have been removed from two Fijian islands in a joint operation conducted by BirdLife International's Fiji Programme and the National Trust of Fiji aimed at protecting unique wildlife on Monuriki and Kadomo. "This is a massive achievement which will provide benefits for the iguanas, birds, plants and people of these islands", said Sialesi Rasalato from BirdLife International.
Seabirds and iguana
The Mamanuca island chain is a well-known tourist destination and nationally important for some unique and threatened wildlife. The islands of Monuriki and Kadomo are among Fiji's most critical islands for burrowing seabirds and endemic iguana.
Critically Endangered Fijian Crested Iguana
Monuriki was the location for the Tom Hanks film Cast Away which depicts his successful attempts to survive on the island following a plane crash. In real life, the 41 hectare island is home to less than a hundred Critically Endangered Fijian Crested Iguana Brachylophus vitiensis which are found on only a few islands, in the dry western side of the Fijian archipelago. Both Monuriki and Kadomo also provide vital habitat for nationally significant breeding colonies of Wedge-tailed ShearwaterPuffinus pacificus. Thousands of the fish-eating seabirds have excavated burrows across the islands in which to rear their chicks, and can be heard making their strange ‘baby-crying' calls after dark.
In 1999 and 2003, the National Trust of Fiji surveyed a few islands in the Mamanuca Group detecting a rapid decline in the iguana population as a result of major habitat degradation by goats. In 2009, BirdLife International undertook surveys that showed that rats and goats were also posing severe threats to the breeding seabirds on both islands.
Introduced by humans and alien to Fiji, rats eat many life forms including eggs, seeds, and insects, whilst goats eat all plants within reach and trample fragile seabird burrows.
Together these pests have substantially altered the ability of native plants and animals to exist on the islands and, if left unchecked, would lead to the loss of many including the shearwaters and iguanas. "Most documented extinctions, and present causes for decline among Pacific island birds, are the result of invasive alien species like rats and goats", said Elenoa Seniloli of BirdLife International.
Eradication of goats and rats
To deal with these threats, the National Trust of Fiji and BirdLife International carried out an intensive and complex operation to rid the two islands permanently of goats and rats.
For the goats, those that could be mustered and caught - by the local Yanuya Rugby Team - were taken to the mainland, while all remaining animals were later eliminated by professional hunters from New Zealand using trained sniffer dogs. The rats were eradicated by spreading specially-formulated rodenticide from a helicopter in a hi-tech procedure using GPS equipment and a specifically designed spreader bucket which could calibrate required bait-drops. If no sign of either pest are detected after two years, Monuriki and Kadomo islands will be officially declared rat and goat-free.
It's now vitally important that these alien creatures don't return, and project partners are calling for all visitors to check their boats and equipment for unwanted stowaways before landing on the islands. "It has taken years of preparation and work to rid these introduced pest animals from Monuriki and Kadomo, and a careless visitor could bring them back in a day", said Jone Niukula of the National Trust of Fiji.
"We ask visitors to be especially careful", added Joeli Vadada - landowner and National Trust of Fiji Volunteer Ranger for Monuriki Island. "Visitors to the islands need to check everything before they go ashore for stowaway seeds, lizards, rodents and insects."
BirdLife is now developing a bio-security programme that will provide further information and training to the Islands communities and tourist operators, enabling them to prevent pests from getting back to the Islands. "We also intend to work with the landowners in developing projects that enable them to benefit from the islands natural resources in a sustainable way such as through eco-tourism", noted Mrs Seniloli.
12th Island restored
This is the 12th successful island restoration programme completed by the BirdLife International Fiji Programme. With over 300 islands in Fiji there are many opportunities to eradicate unwanted pests and improve the future for biodiversity and people.
The planning, consultations, financing, technical assistance and implementation of the goat and rat operations have required numerous partnerships within Fiji and around the world. In communicating the project's success, BirdLife International and the National Trust of Fiji acknowledge that this result would not have been possible without the efforts of many, including Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Council, the Fiji Department of Environment, the Fiji Police Force, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Mamanuca Environment Society, the Pacific Invasives Initiative, Ross Wharfe, Luke Robertson, New Zealand Department of Conservation, skilled hunters, the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, the UK Darwin Initiative, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and European Community and the landowners of Monuriki and Kadomo Mataqali Vuna-i-vi and Mataqali Namatua, Taukei Yanuya, and the village of Yanuya (Koro ko Yanuya).
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=1&listitemid=12364
December 2011. Goats and rats have been removed from two Fijian islands in a joint operation conducted by BirdLife International's Fiji Programme and the National Trust of Fiji aimed at protecting unique wildlife on Monuriki and Kadomo. "This is a massive achievement which will provide benefits for the iguanas, birds, plants and people of these islands", said Sialesi Rasalato from BirdLife International.
Seabirds and iguana
The Mamanuca island chain is a well-known tourist destination and nationally important for some unique and threatened wildlife. The islands of Monuriki and Kadomo are among Fiji's most critical islands for burrowing seabirds and endemic iguana.
Critically Endangered Fijian Crested Iguana
Monuriki was the location for the Tom Hanks film Cast Away which depicts his successful attempts to survive on the island following a plane crash. In real life, the 41 hectare island is home to less than a hundred Critically Endangered Fijian Crested Iguana Brachylophus vitiensis which are found on only a few islands, in the dry western side of the Fijian archipelago. Both Monuriki and Kadomo also provide vital habitat for nationally significant breeding colonies of Wedge-tailed ShearwaterPuffinus pacificus. Thousands of the fish-eating seabirds have excavated burrows across the islands in which to rear their chicks, and can be heard making their strange ‘baby-crying' calls after dark.
In 1999 and 2003, the National Trust of Fiji surveyed a few islands in the Mamanuca Group detecting a rapid decline in the iguana population as a result of major habitat degradation by goats. In 2009, BirdLife International undertook surveys that showed that rats and goats were also posing severe threats to the breeding seabirds on both islands.
Introduced by humans and alien to Fiji, rats eat many life forms including eggs, seeds, and insects, whilst goats eat all plants within reach and trample fragile seabird burrows.
Together these pests have substantially altered the ability of native plants and animals to exist on the islands and, if left unchecked, would lead to the loss of many including the shearwaters and iguanas. "Most documented extinctions, and present causes for decline among Pacific island birds, are the result of invasive alien species like rats and goats", said Elenoa Seniloli of BirdLife International.
Eradication of goats and rats
To deal with these threats, the National Trust of Fiji and BirdLife International carried out an intensive and complex operation to rid the two islands permanently of goats and rats.
For the goats, those that could be mustered and caught - by the local Yanuya Rugby Team - were taken to the mainland, while all remaining animals were later eliminated by professional hunters from New Zealand using trained sniffer dogs. The rats were eradicated by spreading specially-formulated rodenticide from a helicopter in a hi-tech procedure using GPS equipment and a specifically designed spreader bucket which could calibrate required bait-drops. If no sign of either pest are detected after two years, Monuriki and Kadomo islands will be officially declared rat and goat-free.
It's now vitally important that these alien creatures don't return, and project partners are calling for all visitors to check their boats and equipment for unwanted stowaways before landing on the islands. "It has taken years of preparation and work to rid these introduced pest animals from Monuriki and Kadomo, and a careless visitor could bring them back in a day", said Jone Niukula of the National Trust of Fiji.
"We ask visitors to be especially careful", added Joeli Vadada - landowner and National Trust of Fiji Volunteer Ranger for Monuriki Island. "Visitors to the islands need to check everything before they go ashore for stowaway seeds, lizards, rodents and insects."
BirdLife is now developing a bio-security programme that will provide further information and training to the Islands communities and tourist operators, enabling them to prevent pests from getting back to the Islands. "We also intend to work with the landowners in developing projects that enable them to benefit from the islands natural resources in a sustainable way such as through eco-tourism", noted Mrs Seniloli.
12th Island restored
This is the 12th successful island restoration programme completed by the BirdLife International Fiji Programme. With over 300 islands in Fiji there are many opportunities to eradicate unwanted pests and improve the future for biodiversity and people.
The planning, consultations, financing, technical assistance and implementation of the goat and rat operations have required numerous partnerships within Fiji and around the world. In communicating the project's success, BirdLife International and the National Trust of Fiji acknowledge that this result would not have been possible without the efforts of many, including Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Council, the Fiji Department of Environment, the Fiji Police Force, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Mamanuca Environment Society, the Pacific Invasives Initiative, Ross Wharfe, Luke Robertson, New Zealand Department of Conservation, skilled hunters, the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, the UK Darwin Initiative, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and European Community and the landowners of Monuriki and Kadomo Mataqali Vuna-i-vi and Mataqali Namatua, Taukei Yanuya, and the village of Yanuya (Koro ko Yanuya).
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=1&listitemid=12364
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Magnificent Seven (rat free Fijian islands)
Two years after the BirdLife International Fiji Programme implemented an operation to eradicate rats from the Ringgold Islands, all seven islands have been confirmed rodent-free. Early monitoring also shows that the birds, people and wider wildlife of these remote islands are already benefitting from the removal of these invasive pests. BirdLife staff are continuing to work with local people to ensure the rats don’t return.
Located to the northeast of Taveuni, Fiji, the Ringgold Islands hold internationally important numbers of nesting seabirds. Seabird populations here, as elsewhere in the Pacific, were suffering because of rats, which eat eggs and nestlings. The Ringgolds are also an important source of natural resources and income for the islands’ landowners.
In August 2008, the BirdLife Fiji programme began working closely with the two landowning clans, Yavusa Naqelelevu and Mataqali Qilo, to eradicate the rats. A specially formulated rodent bait was dropped on the islands from a helicopter.
Among the positive changes recorded since 2008 Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus have been observed for two of the seven islands. This species was not previously known in the area, and its appearance is a promising sign that birds vulnerable to the impacts of rats will establish breeding colonies.
In mid-November 2010, BirdLife’s Fiji team led a survey of the Ringgold Islands. Colonies of Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel, Black Noddy Anous minutus and Brown Booby Sula leucogaster were recorded. These populations represent over 1% of the global number for each species, and qualify the island group as an Important Bird Area.
In addition, nationally significant numbers of Red-footed Booby Sula sula, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus, Common White Tern Gygis alba, and the globally Vulnerable Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis were also present.
Significant numbers of turtle nests were recorded on three islands and skink activity had also increased, particularly the Pacific Black Skink Emoia nigra, which is listed under Fiji’s Endangered and Protected Species Act.
The eradication programme was only the first step in keeping these islands free of rats and other foreign pests. Biosecurity plans have been developed for all the islands, and village representatives have been trained in techniques to prevent the introduction of alien species.
“BirdLife urges all visitors to these islands to check their boats and equipment for stowaway rats prior to departure”, said Mr Sialisi Rasalato, BirdLife Fiji programme Conservation Officer. “The introduction of just one pregnant rat would be enough to undo all the hard work, and set the clock back to a time where the islands were crawling with rats.”
Sia Rasalato added that the BirdLife International Fiji programme is grateful to the two land owning clans for their support. “Without this, the eradication and the islands’ ongoing pest free status would not have been possible.”
In association with the landowning communities, BirdLife has established a Site Support Group – the Ringgold Seabird Committee – to lead the islands’ management, communicate the results of the eradication, and champion the islands’ protection among the wider communities.
The seven islands are traditionally under the District (tikina) of Laucala. Mr Josefa Tale, the Mata ni Tikina (Laucala District representative), heads the SSG, and provides a link to the Cakaudrove Provincial Council in achieving support for the islands protection.
Mr Tale has affirmed the interest of the landowners in protecting the islands from invasive species such as rats.
“In order to achieve this, we the island owners must ensure that the islands continue to be rat free. On behalf of the Ringgold Seabird Committee and the Ringgolds Community, I therefore ask visitors to be especially careful when visiting the Ringgolds”, said Mr Tale.
Mr Tevita Mereti of Naqelelevu village thanked BirdLife International Fiji programme for eradicating rats off the islands, as they were damaging the islands unique biodiversity, and ruining their plantation crops and food stores. He urged fishermen and others who may visit the islands to check their boats and equipment for possible stowaways.
“It has taken years of preparation and work to get rid of rats; a careless visitor could bring it back in a day, so we ask visitors to be especially careful” concluded Mr Mereti.
The BirdLife Seabird Island Restoration programme is supported by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Darwin Initiative. Assistance to the programme has also been provided by the Pacific Invasives Initiative, the Pacific Invasives Learning Network, and the New Zealand Department of Conservation. The Fiji Department of Environment and wider Fiji Government have also supported the island restoration programme.
http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/12/the-magnificent-seven-rat-free-fijian-islands/
Located to the northeast of Taveuni, Fiji, the Ringgold Islands hold internationally important numbers of nesting seabirds. Seabird populations here, as elsewhere in the Pacific, were suffering because of rats, which eat eggs and nestlings. The Ringgolds are also an important source of natural resources and income for the islands’ landowners.
In August 2008, the BirdLife Fiji programme began working closely with the two landowning clans, Yavusa Naqelelevu and Mataqali Qilo, to eradicate the rats. A specially formulated rodent bait was dropped on the islands from a helicopter.
Among the positive changes recorded since 2008 Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus have been observed for two of the seven islands. This species was not previously known in the area, and its appearance is a promising sign that birds vulnerable to the impacts of rats will establish breeding colonies.
In mid-November 2010, BirdLife’s Fiji team led a survey of the Ringgold Islands. Colonies of Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel, Black Noddy Anous minutus and Brown Booby Sula leucogaster were recorded. These populations represent over 1% of the global number for each species, and qualify the island group as an Important Bird Area.
In addition, nationally significant numbers of Red-footed Booby Sula sula, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus, Common White Tern Gygis alba, and the globally Vulnerable Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis were also present.
Significant numbers of turtle nests were recorded on three islands and skink activity had also increased, particularly the Pacific Black Skink Emoia nigra, which is listed under Fiji’s Endangered and Protected Species Act.
The eradication programme was only the first step in keeping these islands free of rats and other foreign pests. Biosecurity plans have been developed for all the islands, and village representatives have been trained in techniques to prevent the introduction of alien species.
“BirdLife urges all visitors to these islands to check their boats and equipment for stowaway rats prior to departure”, said Mr Sialisi Rasalato, BirdLife Fiji programme Conservation Officer. “The introduction of just one pregnant rat would be enough to undo all the hard work, and set the clock back to a time where the islands were crawling with rats.”
Sia Rasalato added that the BirdLife International Fiji programme is grateful to the two land owning clans for their support. “Without this, the eradication and the islands’ ongoing pest free status would not have been possible.”
In association with the landowning communities, BirdLife has established a Site Support Group – the Ringgold Seabird Committee – to lead the islands’ management, communicate the results of the eradication, and champion the islands’ protection among the wider communities.
The seven islands are traditionally under the District (tikina) of Laucala. Mr Josefa Tale, the Mata ni Tikina (Laucala District representative), heads the SSG, and provides a link to the Cakaudrove Provincial Council in achieving support for the islands protection.
Mr Tale has affirmed the interest of the landowners in protecting the islands from invasive species such as rats.
“In order to achieve this, we the island owners must ensure that the islands continue to be rat free. On behalf of the Ringgold Seabird Committee and the Ringgolds Community, I therefore ask visitors to be especially careful when visiting the Ringgolds”, said Mr Tale.
Mr Tevita Mereti of Naqelelevu village thanked BirdLife International Fiji programme for eradicating rats off the islands, as they were damaging the islands unique biodiversity, and ruining their plantation crops and food stores. He urged fishermen and others who may visit the islands to check their boats and equipment for possible stowaways.
“It has taken years of preparation and work to get rid of rats; a careless visitor could bring it back in a day, so we ask visitors to be especially careful” concluded Mr Mereti.
The BirdLife Seabird Island Restoration programme is supported by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Darwin Initiative. Assistance to the programme has also been provided by the Pacific Invasives Initiative, the Pacific Invasives Learning Network, and the New Zealand Department of Conservation. The Fiji Department of Environment and wider Fiji Government have also supported the island restoration programme.
http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/12/the-magnificent-seven-rat-free-fijian-islands/
The Magnificent Seven (rat free Fijian islands)
Two years after the BirdLife International Fiji Programme implemented an operation to eradicate rats from the Ringgold Islands, all seven islands have been confirmed rodent-free. Early monitoring also shows that the birds, people and wider wildlife of these remote islands are already benefitting from the removal of these invasive pests. BirdLife staff are continuing to work with local people to ensure the rats don’t return.
Located to the northeast of Taveuni, Fiji, the Ringgold Islands hold internationally important numbers of nesting seabirds. Seabird populations here, as elsewhere in the Pacific, were suffering because of rats, which eat eggs and nestlings. The Ringgolds are also an important source of natural resources and income for the islands’ landowners.
In August 2008, the BirdLife Fiji programme began working closely with the two landowning clans, Yavusa Naqelelevu and Mataqali Qilo, to eradicate the rats. A specially formulated rodent bait was dropped on the islands from a helicopter.
Among the positive changes recorded since 2008 Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus have been observed for two of the seven islands. This species was not previously known in the area, and its appearance is a promising sign that birds vulnerable to the impacts of rats will establish breeding colonies.
In mid-November 2010, BirdLife’s Fiji team led a survey of the Ringgold Islands. Colonies of Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel, Black Noddy Anous minutus and Brown Booby Sula leucogaster were recorded. These populations represent over 1% of the global number for each species, and qualify the island group as an Important Bird Area.
In addition, nationally significant numbers of Red-footed Booby Sula sula, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus, Common White Tern Gygis alba, and the globally Vulnerable Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis were also present.
Significant numbers of turtle nests were recorded on three islands and skink activity had also increased, particularly the Pacific Black Skink Emoia nigra, which is listed under Fiji’s Endangered and Protected Species Act.
The eradication programme was only the first step in keeping these islands free of rats and other foreign pests. Biosecurity plans have been developed for all the islands, and village representatives have been trained in techniques to prevent the introduction of alien species.
“BirdLife urges all visitors to these islands to check their boats and equipment for stowaway rats prior to departure”, said Mr Sialisi Rasalato, BirdLife Fiji programme Conservation Officer. “The introduction of just one pregnant rat would be enough to undo all the hard work, and set the clock back to a time where the islands were crawling with rats.”
Sia Rasalato added that the BirdLife International Fiji programme is grateful to the two land owning clans for their support. “Without this, the eradication and the islands’ ongoing pest free status would not have been possible.”
In association with the landowning communities, BirdLife has established a Site Support Group – the Ringgold Seabird Committee – to lead the islands’ management, communicate the results of the eradication, and champion the islands’ protection among the wider communities.
The seven islands are traditionally under the District (tikina) of Laucala. Mr Josefa Tale, the Mata ni Tikina (Laucala District representative), heads the SSG, and provides a link to the Cakaudrove Provincial Council in achieving support for the islands protection.
Mr Tale has affirmed the interest of the landowners in protecting the islands from invasive species such as rats.
“In order to achieve this, we the island owners must ensure that the islands continue to be rat free. On behalf of the Ringgold Seabird Committee and the Ringgolds Community, I therefore ask visitors to be especially careful when visiting the Ringgolds”, said Mr Tale.
Mr Tevita Mereti of Naqelelevu village thanked BirdLife International Fiji programme for eradicating rats off the islands, as they were damaging the islands unique biodiversity, and ruining their plantation crops and food stores. He urged fishermen and others who may visit the islands to check their boats and equipment for possible stowaways.
“It has taken years of preparation and work to get rid of rats; a careless visitor could bring it back in a day, so we ask visitors to be especially careful” concluded Mr Mereti.
The BirdLife Seabird Island Restoration programme is supported by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Darwin Initiative. Assistance to the programme has also been provided by the Pacific Invasives Initiative, the Pacific Invasives Learning Network, and the New Zealand Department of Conservation. The Fiji Department of Environment and wider Fiji Government have also supported the island restoration programme.
http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/12/the-magnificent-seven-rat-free-fijian-islands/
Located to the northeast of Taveuni, Fiji, the Ringgold Islands hold internationally important numbers of nesting seabirds. Seabird populations here, as elsewhere in the Pacific, were suffering because of rats, which eat eggs and nestlings. The Ringgolds are also an important source of natural resources and income for the islands’ landowners.
In August 2008, the BirdLife Fiji programme began working closely with the two landowning clans, Yavusa Naqelelevu and Mataqali Qilo, to eradicate the rats. A specially formulated rodent bait was dropped on the islands from a helicopter.
Among the positive changes recorded since 2008 Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus have been observed for two of the seven islands. This species was not previously known in the area, and its appearance is a promising sign that birds vulnerable to the impacts of rats will establish breeding colonies.
In mid-November 2010, BirdLife’s Fiji team led a survey of the Ringgold Islands. Colonies of Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel, Black Noddy Anous minutus and Brown Booby Sula leucogaster were recorded. These populations represent over 1% of the global number for each species, and qualify the island group as an Important Bird Area.
In addition, nationally significant numbers of Red-footed Booby Sula sula, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus, Common White Tern Gygis alba, and the globally Vulnerable Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis were also present.
Significant numbers of turtle nests were recorded on three islands and skink activity had also increased, particularly the Pacific Black Skink Emoia nigra, which is listed under Fiji’s Endangered and Protected Species Act.
The eradication programme was only the first step in keeping these islands free of rats and other foreign pests. Biosecurity plans have been developed for all the islands, and village representatives have been trained in techniques to prevent the introduction of alien species.
“BirdLife urges all visitors to these islands to check their boats and equipment for stowaway rats prior to departure”, said Mr Sialisi Rasalato, BirdLife Fiji programme Conservation Officer. “The introduction of just one pregnant rat would be enough to undo all the hard work, and set the clock back to a time where the islands were crawling with rats.”
Sia Rasalato added that the BirdLife International Fiji programme is grateful to the two land owning clans for their support. “Without this, the eradication and the islands’ ongoing pest free status would not have been possible.”
In association with the landowning communities, BirdLife has established a Site Support Group – the Ringgold Seabird Committee – to lead the islands’ management, communicate the results of the eradication, and champion the islands’ protection among the wider communities.
The seven islands are traditionally under the District (tikina) of Laucala. Mr Josefa Tale, the Mata ni Tikina (Laucala District representative), heads the SSG, and provides a link to the Cakaudrove Provincial Council in achieving support for the islands protection.
Mr Tale has affirmed the interest of the landowners in protecting the islands from invasive species such as rats.
“In order to achieve this, we the island owners must ensure that the islands continue to be rat free. On behalf of the Ringgold Seabird Committee and the Ringgolds Community, I therefore ask visitors to be especially careful when visiting the Ringgolds”, said Mr Tale.
Mr Tevita Mereti of Naqelelevu village thanked BirdLife International Fiji programme for eradicating rats off the islands, as they were damaging the islands unique biodiversity, and ruining their plantation crops and food stores. He urged fishermen and others who may visit the islands to check their boats and equipment for possible stowaways.
“It has taken years of preparation and work to get rid of rats; a careless visitor could bring it back in a day, so we ask visitors to be especially careful” concluded Mr Mereti.
The BirdLife Seabird Island Restoration programme is supported by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Darwin Initiative. Assistance to the programme has also been provided by the Pacific Invasives Initiative, the Pacific Invasives Learning Network, and the New Zealand Department of Conservation. The Fiji Department of Environment and wider Fiji Government have also supported the island restoration programme.
http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/12/the-magnificent-seven-rat-free-fijian-islands/
Friday, July 23, 2010
New species of fresh water fish found
Verenaisi Raicola
Thursday, July 22, 2010
TWO new scientific papers have been published highlighting the discovery of two new species of freshwater fishes unique to Fiji and only known from two river systems in Vanua Levu.
Wetlands International-Oceania staff Aaron Jenkins and Kinikoto Mailautoka made the new discoveries as part of surveys for the Ecosystem Based Management project.
This month, the scientific paper entitled "Hippichthys albomaculosus, a new species of freshwater pipefish (Pisces: Syngnathidae) from Fiji" was released in Aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology, co-authored by Mr Jenkins and Kinikoto Mailautoka.
This handsome pipefish was found in a small mangrove lined tributary near the mouth of the Dreketi River and is distinguished from other species by several characteristics including 10-11 white spots on the lower trunk region.
This species reaches around 9cm long and the males carry the eggs in a trunk pouch until they hatch.
This paper is significant as not only is it Fiji's newest endemic animal species, it is the first new freshwater pipefish (related to a seahorse) to be discovered in about the past 30 years.
Taxonomic description work was all done in-country, based out of the USP and, recognising the capacity being built in country, the second author is the first indigenous Fijian to have co-authored a new species of fish.
The second new species of fish was also first collected by the Wetlands International-Oceania team but described overseas by Dr. Helen Larson of the Northern Territory Museum.
As part of a large review paper last month in the international journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, the new freshwater goby, Redigobius lekutu has been described.
The species gains its name from the Lekutu river where it was first discovered although it is also now known from the Dreketi river system.
This species is significant as it also is only known from Vanua Levu and only generally in clean water in the upper catchment areas of these two rivers with high forest cover and nowhere else on earth.
It only reaches about 2.5 cm in length and is threatened by catchment disturbances such as logging, invasive species and gravel extraction in particular.
Mr Jenkins, a fish biologist who manages Wetlands International work in the region and also represents Oceania to the global IUCN/WI Freshwater Fish Specialist Group states, "These recent publications are timely to help remind us of the unique and fragile nature of Fijian freshwaters and aquatic biodiversity. Only over the last decade or so are we beginning to gain a clear picture of the global uniqueness of Fijian and other Pacific Island freshwater fish faunas."
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=152099
Thursday, July 22, 2010
TWO new scientific papers have been published highlighting the discovery of two new species of freshwater fishes unique to Fiji and only known from two river systems in Vanua Levu.
Wetlands International-Oceania staff Aaron Jenkins and Kinikoto Mailautoka made the new discoveries as part of surveys for the Ecosystem Based Management project.
This month, the scientific paper entitled "Hippichthys albomaculosus, a new species of freshwater pipefish (Pisces: Syngnathidae) from Fiji" was released in Aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology, co-authored by Mr Jenkins and Kinikoto Mailautoka.
This handsome pipefish was found in a small mangrove lined tributary near the mouth of the Dreketi River and is distinguished from other species by several characteristics including 10-11 white spots on the lower trunk region.
This species reaches around 9cm long and the males carry the eggs in a trunk pouch until they hatch.
This paper is significant as not only is it Fiji's newest endemic animal species, it is the first new freshwater pipefish (related to a seahorse) to be discovered in about the past 30 years.
Taxonomic description work was all done in-country, based out of the USP and, recognising the capacity being built in country, the second author is the first indigenous Fijian to have co-authored a new species of fish.
The second new species of fish was also first collected by the Wetlands International-Oceania team but described overseas by Dr. Helen Larson of the Northern Territory Museum.
As part of a large review paper last month in the international journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, the new freshwater goby, Redigobius lekutu has been described.
The species gains its name from the Lekutu river where it was first discovered although it is also now known from the Dreketi river system.
This species is significant as it also is only known from Vanua Levu and only generally in clean water in the upper catchment areas of these two rivers with high forest cover and nowhere else on earth.
It only reaches about 2.5 cm in length and is threatened by catchment disturbances such as logging, invasive species and gravel extraction in particular.
Mr Jenkins, a fish biologist who manages Wetlands International work in the region and also represents Oceania to the global IUCN/WI Freshwater Fish Specialist Group states, "These recent publications are timely to help remind us of the unique and fragile nature of Fijian freshwaters and aquatic biodiversity. Only over the last decade or so are we beginning to gain a clear picture of the global uniqueness of Fijian and other Pacific Island freshwater fish faunas."
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=152099
Friday, July 2, 2010
Creature drives villagers ashore
Creature drives villagers ashore
Theresa Ralogaivau
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A STRANGE looking marine creature reportedly spotted in lagoon waters of three villages in Cakaudrove are keeping fishermen and divers away from sea. Naiqaqi Village headman Jepeca Nakuvu said villagers from the neighbouring village of Laucala and Valeni were scared of going out to sea because of the creature.
Ateca Disukavanua, 50, said she was fishing near a copse of mangrove called Dogodogo on Monday when she saw a black creature swimming towards her. "At first I thought it was a log but then it moved closer and I was so scared because the water was up to my waist I jumped on top of a mangrove stump," she said. "I hung on to that mangrove tree for about an hour and the creature, which was about three foot long, and had flippers like that of a turtle and had a strange long mouth.
"I had never seen such a thing before in my life. I was shaking because it kept hanging around as if it smelt the place where I was standing. I only got down when the tide went out and the water was only ankle high."
Mr Nakuvu said men from the three villages armed themselves with cane knives, digging forks and spears and looked for the creature hoping to kill it. "When we know it is dead we will go out to sea because we are scared because this is something that we are not familiar with," he said.
The village headman said they had lodged a complaint at the Savusavu Police Station.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=150916
Theresa Ralogaivau
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A STRANGE looking marine creature reportedly spotted in lagoon waters of three villages in Cakaudrove are keeping fishermen and divers away from sea. Naiqaqi Village headman Jepeca Nakuvu said villagers from the neighbouring village of Laucala and Valeni were scared of going out to sea because of the creature.
Ateca Disukavanua, 50, said she was fishing near a copse of mangrove called Dogodogo on Monday when she saw a black creature swimming towards her. "At first I thought it was a log but then it moved closer and I was so scared because the water was up to my waist I jumped on top of a mangrove stump," she said. "I hung on to that mangrove tree for about an hour and the creature, which was about three foot long, and had flippers like that of a turtle and had a strange long mouth.
"I had never seen such a thing before in my life. I was shaking because it kept hanging around as if it smelt the place where I was standing. I only got down when the tide went out and the water was only ankle high."
Mr Nakuvu said men from the three villages armed themselves with cane knives, digging forks and spears and looked for the creature hoping to kill it. "When we know it is dead we will go out to sea because we are scared because this is something that we are not familiar with," he said.
The village headman said they had lodged a complaint at the Savusavu Police Station.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=150916
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