PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 3:06 PM by Tevita

Northern Lau biodiversity survey results 2007 released

From : USP

Around 30 Turaga-ni-koro (village spokesperson) from the Lau Province attended a seminar organized by the Institute of Applied Science, to listen to results of biodiversity surveys and community engagement efforts that was undertaken in Northern Lau, in September 2007.

The Turaga-ni-koros who are currently in Suva for the Lau Provincial Council meeting attended the seminar that was held at the Marine studies lecture theatre recently.

The Northern Lau survey in September 2007 had a holistic approach to addressing biodiversity related issues, by looking at three key components; terrestrial biodiversity, marine biodiversity and socio-economic aspects of marine resource use by local communities in the area. To fully achieve this mammoth task over a three week period required team effort by researchers from the Institute of Applied Science, Department of Fisheries, Department of Forestry and Nature Fiji (Mareqeti Viti), totaling ten Fiji researchers, and two from Georgia Tech university, who were undertaking research on algae.

Surveys looked into the following areas:
1) Terrestrial biodiversity surveys
a. Mammals & herpetofauna
b. Vegetation & flora
c. Avifauna & invertebrates
2) Marine biodiversity surveys (corals, fish & invertebrates)
a. Rapid assessment in 14 fishing grounds by IAS
b. Rapid assessment by Fisheries Department around Vanua balavu
3) Marine sponge and alga research

The outcomes of the terrestrial and marine surveys highlights the biodiversity and endemism of the northern Lau group as well as the threats faced by the region from invasive species, detrimental anthropogenic activities including agriculture and cattle grazing, overfishing, and the use of inappropriate marine harvesting techniques.

Four islands or island groups in the Northern Lau group are currently preliminarily listed as Sites of National Significance: Wailagilala, Kibobo Islets, Sovu Islets and Nukucikobia. Based on the results of this survey, an additional five islands or island groups are to be added to this list: Tuvuca (based on plants and vegetation, marine invertebrates), Namalala (plants, vegetation and aesthetic value), Susui (plants, vegetation and turtles), Qilaqila Bay of Islands (plants, vegetation and aesthetic value), and Nukutolu Islets (birds, marine invertebrates).

The Institute of Applied Sciences thanked organizations for providing the personnel for various trips and assisting with the preliminary assessment of data collected:

Organisations involved includes The South Pacific Regional Herbarium, NatureFiji-Mareqeti Viti, Fiji Department of Forestry, Fiji Department of Fisheries, the Environment Unit and the Natural Products Unit of the Institute of Applied Sciences, and the National Trust of Fiji.

The core funding for the survey was provided by the Institute of Applied Sciences through their Natural Products Research Program. Additional funds were provided by a generous donation from Conservation International (Fiji Program). TOTAL (Fiji) limited supplied all fuels and lubricants required for the trip at a special concession price and the Department of Fisheries provided at no cost the use of their research vessel the “Tuiniwasabula” and its crew.



	A blog maintained by Tevita Kete, PGR Officer Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji Islands
This weblog documents the activities of Pacific Agricultural Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN), along with other information on plant genetic resources (PGR) in the Pacific. The myriad varieties found within cultivated plants are fundamental to the present and future productivity of agriculture. PAPGREN, which is coordinated by the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), helps Pacific countries and territories to conserve their crop genetic diversity sustainably, with technical assistance from the Bioversity International (BI) and support from NZAID and ACIAR. SPC also hosts the Centre of Pacific Crops and Trees (CEPaCT). The CEPaCT maintains regional in vitro collections of crops important to the Pacific and carries out research on tissue culture technology. The CEPaCT Adviser is Dr Mary Taylor (MaryT@spc.int), the CEPaCT Curator is Ms Valerie Tuia (ValerieT@spc.int). PAPGREN coordination and support IPGRI ACIAR NZAID CTA SPC PAPGREN CEPaCT Click on the thumbnail to see a map of the locations of Pacific genebanks. Click here to download a regional directory of genebanks in the Pacific, including information on their location, contact details and holdings. PAPGREN partners Mr William Wigmore Director of Research Ministry of Agriculture Department of Resources & Development P.O. Box 96 Rarotonga Cook Islands Tel: (682) 28711-29720 Fax: (682) 21881 Email: cimoa@oyster.net.ck Mr Adelino S. Lorens Chief Agriculture Pohnpei Office of Economic Affairs P.O. Box 1028 Kolonia Pohnpei 96941 Federated States of Micronesia Tel: (691) 3202400 Fax: (691) 3202127 Email: pniagriculture@mail.fm Dr Lois Englberger Island Food Community of Pohnpei Research Advisor P.O. Box 2299 Kolonia Pohnpei 96941 Federated States of Micronesia Email: nutrition@mail.fm Mr Apisai Ucuboi Director of Research Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forest Koronivia Research Station P.O. Box 77 Nausori Fiji Islands Tel: (679) 3477044 Fax: (679) 3477546-400262 Email: apisainu@yahoo.com Dr Maurice Wong Service du Developpement Rural B.P. 100 Papeete Tahiti 98713 French Polynesia Tel: (689) 42 81 44 Fax: (689) 42 08 31 Email: maurice.wong@rural.gov.pf Mr Tianeti Beenna Ioane Head, Research Section Division of Agriculture Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development P.O. Box 267 Tarawa Kiribati Tel: (686) 28096-28108-28080 Fax: (686) 28121 Email : agriculture@tskl.net.ki; Beenna_ti@yahoo.com Mr Frederick Muller Secretary Ministry of Resources & Development P.O. Box 1727 Majuro 96960 Marshall Islands Tel: (692) 6253206 Fax: (692) 6257471 Email: rndsec@ntamar.net Mr Herman Francisco Director Bureau of Agriculture Ministry of Resources & Development P.O. Box 460 Koror 96940 Palau Tel: (680) 4881517 Fax: (680) 4881725 Email: bnrd@pnccwg.palaunet.com Ms Rosa Kambuou Principal Scientist PGR NARI Dry Lowlands Programme Laloki Agricultural Research Station P.O. Box 1828 Boroko National Capital District Papua New Guinea Tel: (675) 3235511 Fax: (675) 3234733 Email: kambuou@global.net.pg Ms Laisene Samuelu Principal Crop Development Officer Crops Division Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Fisheries & Meteorology P.O. Box 1874 Apia Samoa Tel: (685) 23416-20605 Fax: (685) 20607-23996 Email: lsamuelu@lesamoa.net Mr Jimi Saelea Director of Research Department of Agriculture and Livestock P.O. Box G13 Honiara Guadalcanal Solomon Islands Tel: (677) 27987 Mr Tony Jansen Planting Materials Network Kastom Gaden Association Burns Creek, Honiara P.O. Box 742 Honiara Solomon Islands Tel: (677) 39551 Email: kastomgaden@solomon.com.sb Mr Finao Pole Head of Research Ministry of Agriculture & Forests P.O. Box 14 Nuku'alofa Tonga Tel: (676) 23038 Fax: (676) 24271 Email: thaangana@hotmail.com Mr Frazer Bule Lehi Head of Research Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Private Mail Bag 040 Port Vila Vanuatu Tel: (678) 22525 Fax: (678) 25265 Email: flehi@hotmail.com Other links Other CROP agencies Forum Secretariat University of the South Pacific SPREP Pacific biodiversity Biodiversity hotspots Breadfruit Institute Hawaiian native plants Intellectual property rights Nature Conservancy PBIF PestNet SIDS WWF South Pacific Program Other Pacific organizations Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific Micronesian Seminar Te Puna web directory Pacific news Cafe Pacific CocoNET Wireless Island Directory Pacific Islands News Pacific Islands Report Pacific Islands Travel Pacific Time South Pacific travel Time Pacific Interested in GIS? DIVA-GIS	Monday, July 14, 2008 Posted 3:06 PM by Tevita Northern Lau biodiversity survey results 2007 released From : USP Around 30 Turaga-ni-koro (village spokesperson) from the Lau Province attended a seminar organized by the Institute of Applied Science, to listen to results of biodiversity surveys and community engagement efforts that was undertaken in Northern Lau, in September 2007. The Turaga-ni-koros who are currently in Suva for the Lau Provincial Council meeting attended the seminar that was held at the Marine studies lecture theatre recently. The Northern Lau survey in September 2007 had a holistic approach to addressing biodiversity related issues, by looking at three key components; terrestrial biodiversity, marine biodiversity and socio-economic aspects of marine resource use by local communities in the area. To fully achieve this mammoth task over a three week period required team effort by researchers from the Institute of Applied Science, Department of Fisheries, Department of Forestry and Nature Fiji (Mareqeti Viti), totaling ten Fiji researchers, and two from Georgia Tech university, who were undertaking research on algae. Surveys looked into the following areas: 1) Terrestrial biodiversity surveys a. Mammals & herpetofauna b. Vegetation & flora c. Avifauna & invertebrates 2) Marine biodiversity surveys (corals, fish & invertebrates) a. Rapid assessment in 14 fishing grounds by IAS b. Rapid assessment by Fisheries Department around Vanua balavu 3) Marine sponge and alga research The outcomes of the terrestrial and marine surveys highlights the biodiversity and endemism of the northern Lau group as well as the threats faced by the region from invasive species, detrimental anthropogenic activities including agriculture and cattle grazing, overfishing, and the use of inappropriate marine harvesting techniques. Four islands or island groups in the Northern Lau group are currently preliminarily listed as Sites of National Significance: Wailagilala, Kibobo Islets, Sovu Islets and Nukucikobia. Based on the results of this survey, an additional five islands or island groups are to be added to this list: Tuvuca (based on plants and vegetation, marine invertebrates), Namalala (plants, vegetation and aesthetic value), Susui (plants, vegetation and turtles), Qilaqila Bay of Islands (plants, vegetation and aesthetic value), and Nukutolu Islets (birds, marine invertebrates). The Institute of Applied Sciences thanked organizations for providing the personnel for various trips and assisting with the preliminary assessment of data collected: Organisations involved includes The South Pacific Regional Herbarium, NatureFiji-Mareqeti Viti, Fiji Department of Forestry, Fiji Department of Fisheries, the Environment Unit and the Natural Products Unit of the Institute of Applied Sciences, and the National Trust of Fiji. The core funding for the survey was provided by the Institute of Applied Sciences through their Natural Products Research Program. Additional funds were provided by a generous donation from Conservation International (Fiji Program). TOTAL (Fiji) limited supplied all fuels and lubricants required for the trip at a special concession price and the Department of Fisheries provided at no cost the use of their research vessel the “Tuiniwasabula” and its crew. * Comments: us drugstore \| purchase any medication at discounted prices. 100% Legal. 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