News Releases

Minamata Convention
IPEN
Biodiversity Research Institute

April 19, 2017

A new study, supported by the Minamata Convention’s Interim Secretariat hosted by UN Environment (download full report with raw data annex or summary report), reveals that women of childbearing age living in four Pacific Island countries have elevated levels of mercury in their bodies. Mercury monitoring in women of childbearing age in the Asia and the Pacific Region, jointly conducted by the interim secretariat of the Minamata Convention, Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), and the global NGO network IPEN, examined hair samples from women aged 18 - 44 from Cook...

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has announced the addition of yellowfin tuna to the Cook Islands EEZ South Pacific Albacore Longline Fishery certification. The fishery was MSC certified for its albacore tuna catches in 2015, making Huanan Fishery Cook Islands Ltd the first Chinese tuna fleet to meet what is considered the industry gold standard in sustainability. The MSC is an international non-profit organisation established to address the problem of unsustainable fishing and safeguard seafood supplies for the future.

The President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, H.E. Dr. Hilda C. Heine, issued the below statement today following recent developments in the United States. “A President’s job is to protect their citizens, grow the economy and pave the way for future generations. Acting on climate change is the best way to do all of this."

Pacific Women are the unsung heroes of the region’s tourism industry says the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), as it recognises their contribution to tourism development to mark International Women’s Day today, March 8. At every level of the tourism industry, Pacific women are represented from grassroots handcraft producers, and hotel and resort employees, to tourism industry executives.