PINA

A UN agency tasked with regulating the deep sea is debating whether to open the Earth’s watery depths to countries and companies that as of Monday were allowed to start applying for provisional mining licences. The International Seabed Authority (ISA), based in Jamaica, launched a two-week conference on the issue Monday, a day after it missed a deadline to approve...

-The Australian government has called on Solomon Islands and China to “immediately” publish a new policing plan between the two countries, saying it is concerned the deal will invite “regional contest” in the Pacific. The concern from Canberra comes on the back of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's visit to Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping...

As controversial plan by Japan to release treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear plant sparked anxiety and anger at home and abroad, the ‘precautionary principle’ is of utmost importance to us in the Pacific says Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. Brown made the remarks at the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) presentation of Fukushima report in...

Pacific Island leaders will review a report by the United Natons nuclear watchdog on Japan's proposed Fukushima treated water release before deciding a position, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says. After a two-year review, the IAEA said Japan's plans to release some 500 Olympic size swimming pools worth of water from the Fukushima plant wrecked by a tsunami more...

At its highest point, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) stands at two metres above sea level. As people of a low-lying atoll nation, the Marshallese face an existential threat from climate change impacts, specifically sea level rise. According to the IPCC Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC), sea level rise will continue beyond 2100,...

Many small island states live in fear of natural disasters, as unprecedented storms become more frequent, says Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland. Natural disasters had increased by 75 percent over the past two decades, causing US$3 trillion of economic losses, Scotland told RNZ Pacific. The worst affected were developing countries, she said. “If you look at where those losses occurred, the majority...

Seafood groups representing a third of the world’s tuna trade as well as major supermarket suppliers are the latest groups to call for a pause on deep-sea mining, after a new study published today showed tropical tuna fishing grounds in the Pacific would overlap with mining plans. The Global Tuna Alliance partners, which account for 32 percent of global tuna...

Farmers have criticised the introduction of a 30-hour weekly guarantee for workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, claiming it is out of touch with the demands of working in agriculture. And they have warned that farmers could turn away from the scheme altogether if changes are not made. The reforms announced last month will require farmers to offer more...

The office of the World Wide Fund for Nature in the Pacific (WWF-Pacific) is proud to announce the launch of its revitalised 2025 Strategic Plan. A timely endeavour as the Pacific region faces unprecedented challenges from climate change and biodiversity loss. This forward-thinking roadmap positions the organisation, with 28 years of experience in the region, at the forefront of addressing...

The Fiji Rugby Union Administrator says contracts for the Fiji Water Flying Fijian players have been signed with the approval of the Pacific Players Association in regards to the increased allowances. Valenitabua reassures players and fans that FRU has taken their concerns seriously and has implemented measures to ensure their welfare leading up to the highly anticipated Rugby World Cup...