APIA, Samoa (May 31, 2002 - Tala Nei News/PINA Nius Online)---Australia and New Zealand might have failed to get the International Whaling Commission, at its recent meeting in Japan, to create a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary. But at the rate South Pacific nations are forming marine sanctuaries, they might end up getting one anyway.
That's the view of Samoa's director of Lands, Survey and Environment, Tu'u'u Dr. Ieti.
Last week Samoa declared that whales now are protected in its exclusive economic zone, following similar moves by the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Niue, and Papua New Guinea.
In fact, Samoa, in addition, has included dolphins, turtles and sharks in its National Marine Sanctuary, which is 128,000 square kilometers (76,800) in area.
Several years ago Pacific Islands Forum countries were encouraged to form marine sanctuaries.
"And that is why countries are doing it," Tu'u'u said. "It was reiterated last year."
Speaking of his...