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By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (June 26, 2002 – Samoa News)---Samoa Air is exploring the possibility of re-establishing flights to the neighboring island nation of Niue.

A business plan is to be transmitted to the Niue government.

The Tutuila-based carrier operated weekly flights to Niue's capital of Alofi several years ago, when Samoa Air was under the ownership of Connie and James Porter.

The commuter carrier later terminated weekly flights and operated on a requested charter basis only.

However, the current owner of Samoa Air, South Seas Group, Inc., is looking at the resumption of flights to Niue.

Niue has seen a downturn in tourism because of the loss of its direct air link to Auckland early last year.

Currently, Royal Tonga Air provides weekly service between Nuku‘alofa and Alofi only.

Responding to Samoa News inquiries, Samoa Air's chief executive officer, Andre Lavigne, said there has been one meeting...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (July 2, 2002 - SIBC/PINA Nius Online)---Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Nelson Kile has appealed to Solomon Islanders to harvest marine resources in a sustainable way, and banned using the "trawler" method to collect bêche-de-mer.

He made the appeal following reports from Ontong Java that some people there have been using trawlers or nets dragged on the sea bottom to harvest sea cucumber, or bêche-de-mer.

The reports said people were harvesting 10 times the quantity they normally collected.

Minister Kile explained that the method is simple but very destructive because it can destroy juvenile bêche-de-mer and other marine life on the sea bottom.

He warned that using the trawler method could result in a fine of Sol$ 5,000 (US$ 711) or six months imprisonment or both.

Bêche-de-mer are not actually cucumbers, but are marine animals related to starfishes and sea urchins. Some varieties are exported to China, where...

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (July 3, 2002 - Marianas Variety/PINA Nius Online)---The tri-color was an unusual flag waving in the breeze at the Marshall Islands capital building in Majuro. It signaled more than just the visits of French Ambassador Jean-Pierre Vidon and a French naval frigate.

French aid is moving from nearly non-existent to becoming a significant developer of alternative energy in this central Pacific nation.

It marks an increasing French involvement in islands that since World War 11 have been an American sphere of influence, getting many millions of dollars in American funding.

France’s increasing -- though still modest -- aid coincides with the Marshall Islands joining the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) group of states. The ACP has a major trade and aid partnership with the European Union (EU).

France, said Vidon in an interview in Majuro, is a major provider of EU funding and a major exporter of alternative energy technology. The EU is...

By Edith G. Alejandro

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (July 2, 2002- Saipan Tribune)---Another Philippine-based airline company has expressed interest in providing air transport services between Saipan and Manila.

Initial studies made by the Asian Aerospace Corporation noted the need to provide convenient flight schedules and routes for thousands of Filipino workers in the Northern Marianas, as well as the need for more reasonably priced air transportation costs.

Asian Aerospace Corporation Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Ernesto V. Tan officially informed Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas of the company's plan through a letter dated April 30, 2002.

Asian Aerospace is proposing to set up a commercial airline on Saipan, which will service the Manila-Saipan-Guam route.

"We have identified a market niche for Filipino workers on Saipan who have been traveling back and forth to the Philippines but who...