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MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, Jan. 14) - In the face of depleted marine resources and increased pollution, the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority is pushing for local management and enforcement of fisheries throughout this central Pacific nation.

Earlier this month, the remote outer island community of Rongelap Islanders living on tiny Mejatto Island in Kwajalein Atoll became the first to adopt a community-based fisheries management plan, and fisheries official Terry Keju says that four more atolls will follow shortly with their own plans.

Over the past year, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority staff have worked with traditional, elected and community leaders, as well as meeting with men’s, women’s and youth groups on Mejatto Island to hammer out a plan of action to protect fisheries resources on this distant island.

A Fisheries Management Advisory Committee was created that includes elected leaders, men, women and youth to...

KOROR, Palau (Palau Horizon/Marianas Variety, Jan. 14) - The Koror State Legislature is set to file a lawsuit against Koror State Gov. John Gibbons for honoring the House of Traditional Leaders’ version of the Koror State Unified Budget Act for FY 2003 and ignoring the Budget Act enacted by the state legislature through a veto override.

A difference in the interpretation of a provision in the Koror State Constitution regarding the nature of the House of Traditional Leaders’ removal of a line item in the budget and appropriation bill caused the conflict.

Koror State Speaker Yositaka Adachi said in an interview that members of the legislature will file the lawsuit against Gibbons due to his "conduct and action to ignore the Budget Act."

In his earlier letter to Gibbons, Adachi, said the governor’s "ignorance" of the clear mandate of the State Constitution "will leave the legislature no choice but to seek recourse through the court."

Last Dec. 31, the state...

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (New Zealand Herald, Jan. 14) - Two children are missing, feared dead, after their church shelter was destroyed when the force of Cyclone Ami struck Fiji's northern islands early this morning, a news agency has reported.

Reports of the church's collapse on Duradura Island, less than 220 kilometers northeast of Fiji's capital Suva, were received by an official of Fiji's Disaster Management Office this morning, AFP reported.

The centre of Cyclone Ami was reported at 6am to be 70km north of the island of Vanua Levu's main city, Labasa, 20km south of Duradura.

It was reported to have reached hurricane force with average wind speeds of 140km/h and gusts of up 185km/h.

New Zealanders were likely to be holidaying in the region, the Travel Agents Association said today. Last year 47,000 visited the islands.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Emma Reilly today said 500 New Zealanders were known to live in Fiji.

Fiji...

SUVA, Fiji (RNZI, Jan. 13) - The Fiji government has asked Australia to review its travel advisory to its citizens wishing to holiday in Fiji.

The Sunday Times quotes Fiji’s Secretary for foreign affairs, Ratu Isoa Gavidi, as saying they hope to receive a positive response from Canberra this week.

The Australian advisory calls on its citizens to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect their safety in Fiji.

The advisory says bag snatching and petty theft are common in Fiji and warns Australians to avoid walking the streets alone at night, to secure valuables against theft and avoid displays of wealth.

It also says that under no circumstances should they leave personal belongings unattended, especially at beaches, hotels, restaurants and the airport.

It further warns that sexual harassment of women may occur as this has happened in the past and driving in Fiji can also be hazardous.

There is concern in Fiji that such a...