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Study identifies 3 whale, 2 dolphin species

By Peter Erick Magbanua

KOROR, Palau (Island Times, Feb. 23, 2012) – A recent feasibility study showed that the majestic waters of Palau have three species of whales and two species of dolphins.

The study written by Olive Andrews and the feasibility study is an initiative supported by the Pew Environment Group through the Pew and South Pacific Whale Research Consortium (SPWRC) Pacific Whale Conservation Node. Andrews led the technical assessment and development of the report with the support from Palau, Pew and SPWRC. Her assessment was coordinated with Tiare Holm of Sustainable Decisions Ltd.

In the study it stated that whales seen in the waters of Palau are Sperm Whales, Melon-Headed Whales and Pygmy Killer Whales while the two species of dolphins found in Palau are the Spinner Dolphins and Pantropical Spotted Dolphins.

By internet research, the sperm whale is a marine mammal species, order Cetacea, a...

Designed to protect jobs for local people

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (RNZI, Feb. 23, 2012) - A new law has come into effect in New Caledonia which stipulates that locals have to be given preferential treatment on the local job market.

The provision was adopted two years ago by the territory’s Congress and is in line with the 1998 Noumea Accord on greater autonomy.

The law provides for a new authority to administer the new situation.

Its key aspect is that the labour market partners work out a list which will define how long a person has to be in New Caledonia to be eligible for employment in the various sectors of the economy.

New Caledonia has been spared the difficulties faced in France and become a destination for French professionals.

With the nickel industry’s expansion, New Caledonia has brought in thousands of workers from mainly Asia to advance the projects.

Pilot project offering 20 hours free tuition extended

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Taimi o Tonga, Feb 23, 2012) - After the successful two-year Pilot of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Worker Training programme, or ‘Vakameasina’ as it is more commonly known, the New Zealand Aid Programme has signed a contract with Fruition Horticulture to extend the training for another three years.

This means that each year, up to 500 workers who come to New Zealand to work with the RSE scheme will be eligible to receive 20 hours of free tuition in English, maths, finance, computer literacy, and health issues. The tuition will be available in five regions; Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Nelson, Marlborough and Otago from March 2012.

The Pilot RSE Worker Training Programme has already provided English language, numeracy and literacy training to around 580 RSE workers. An independent evaluation of the programme recommended extending it to allow more RSE workers to access the...

Unpaid obligations from previous years to blame

By Oyaol Ngirairikl

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, Feb. 24, 2012) – The government of Guam is facing a $35 million shortfall.

According to figures provided by Department of Administration Director Benita Manglona, GovGuam started this fiscal year with that shortfall because of millions of dollars in obligations that should have been paid in the previous years but weren’t.

Manglona said the shortfall is a result of GovGuam’s inability to cut costs as money has become tighter.

"That’s why we put money in reserve," Manglona said, referring to the 15-percent of agencies’ budgets that’s being withheld from monthly allotments. "The agencies have to live within their means."

She said the shortfall and GovGuam’s overall deficit are among the reasons the administration is looking to sell a second bond, which primarily will be used to pay for tax refunds, GovGuam’s health insurance contract and...