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13th Pacific Community (SPC) Heads of Fisheries Meeting

The thirteenth (13^th) Pacific Community (SPC) Heads of Fisheries Meeting held virtually in early June has concluded with a focus on key priorities of enhancing scientific knowledge and technical tools to better serve Pacific Island people in the coming years.

More than one hundred participants from twenty-two Pacific Island countries and territories consisting of Heads of Fisheries, senior fisheries managers, field officers, fisheries officers, donors, other regional agencies, and non-government organisations discussed the emerging priorities for fisheries and aquaculture in the region. 

These priorities are being aligned to the SPC member needs in the post-COVID recovery environment, which includes digital transformation to enhance safe and secure access to fisheries data, the Pacific Framework for Action on scaling-up Community based Fisheries Management, and the availability of scientific knowledge about climate change impacts to inform fisheries management decisions.

 More Info.: SPC

Cook Islands' Parliament passes Seabed Mineral Bill 2021

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Amendment Bill 2021 passed in Parliament in March was to make clear that only Cook Islands limited companies may apply for a seabed minerals license or permit.

According to the Cook Islands News and the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority reports, the 2021 amendment was to help tighten potential ambiguity in certain provisions of the Seabed Minerals Act 2019 which could allow a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to apply for a license.

This follows a statement by the Seabed Minerals Authority that one of the four applications they received was by a LLC whilst the other three were Cook Islands registered companies.

More info.: Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority

(Photo: CSMA) 

COVID-19 News Updates

FAO Policy brief:  How is COVID-19 affecting the fisheries and aquaculture food systems

This policy brief reviews on going challenges and proposes measures to protect production and income of the sector and the most vulnerable, as well as maintain operations and support the supply chain.'

https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8637en

WorldFish Center - COVID-19 News and Updates

'To assist researchers and policymakers working under challenging conditions to manage the COVID-19 outbreak WorldFish will be providing frequent updates around fish and aquatic food systems from key countries where we operate.'

https://www./worldfishcenter.org/pages/covid-19

Pacific Community (SPC) COVID-19 Updates

'COVID-19 represents a significant challenge for the region. The Pacific Community (SPC), as the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) lead in public health, has taken all necessary measures to help address the spread of COVID-19.' 

https://www.spc.int/updates/blog/2020/05/covid-19-pacific-community-updates

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP): COVID-19 - Health Waste Management

''SPREP, as the Pacific Regional Centre for the Joint Implementation of the Basel and Waigani Conventions, have shared crucial information on practical medical waste management guidelines from the UN Basel Convention’s Technical Guidelines on the Environmentally Sound Management of Biomedical and Healthcare Wastes with relevant authorities...'

https://www.sprep.org/news/effective-management-of-medical-waste-essential-during-pandemic

Regional Preparatory Meeting for IGC on Marine Biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction

Suva, Fiji - The regional preparatory meeting for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on Marine Biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction which was held  from the 26 February, was closed on the same weekend by the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor. 

In her closing remarks, Dame Meg Taylor reflected on the life, contributions and achievements of the late Ambassador Satya Nandan of Fiji and in particular his significant involvement and influence on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

The meeting by delegations of Pacific Islands Forum members discussed common interests and developed regional positions ahead of the negotiations to commence in New York in late March, 2020.

More info.: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 

(Image Source:  Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat)