PINA

The Japan Coast Guard has provided its counterpart in the Pacific island country of Kiribati with technical support to crack down on illegal fishing boats. The move came following China's recent increased presence in the region. Japan sent three officers for the support programme from 19 - 26 June in the capital, Tarawa. The programme was the first of its kind...

Governments have agreed to an improved set of climate goals for the shipping sector after climate vulnerable Pacific nations and trade-reliant emerging economies struck a compromise at talks in London. After two weeks of negotiations which Kiribati’s negotiator described as “challenging and distressing” for everyone, negotiators at the headquarters of the United Nations shipping arm rose to applaud the agreement...

The Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will receive a high-level mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) led by Director-General Rafael Grossi in Rarotonga, Cook Islands from 10 – 11 July. The IAEA delegation will present their report on the Safety Review of the ALPS-treated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Prime Minister...

A Pacific Islands Forum expert panellist has criticised the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for “ignoring one of its own fundamental principles”, in its report on the upcoming dump of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. The IAEA's principle means it must prove the benefits outweigh the harm to society and individuals. The IAEA has presented Japan with its final...

Solomon Islands Government has declared its ongoing concern about the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report endorsing Japan’s plan to release radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. It joins other Pacific regional governments in calling on Tokyo for a deferral. A statement issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that, “Solomon Islands Government remains concerned about the International Atomic...

The list of countries calling for a pause on deep-sea mining continued to grow this week ahead of a key moment that mining companies hope will launch the fledgling industry, and its opponents hope could clip its wings, perhaps for good. Ireland and Sweden became the latest developed economies to join critics, including scientists, environmental organisations and multinationals such as...

Applications to mine the seabed in our ocean commons can be made from 09 July, allowing a few corporations to profit from ecological disaster By Guy Standing Sunday 09 July threatens to be a momentous day for the global economy, one that marks the beginning of the biggest gold rush in history, and one that could lead to unprecedented ecological...

Fiji produced a performance of skill and flair to nullify Italy’s heavy pack in the opening ninth-place semi-final at Paarl Gymnasium and confirm their place in next year's U20 Championship. Having struggled in set-piece play in their three matches in Pool B, Fiji took the opportunity to show what they could do with a reasonable supply of possession by running...

An opportunity for Samoa's rugby league stars in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) to get paid lucrative test match fees like their Australian and Kiwi colleagues has been rejected. Australia's News Corp Group reported that the NRL boss Andrew Abdo has criticised the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) for rejecting the proposal from the NRL to pay players from Samoa,...

The NRL is facing backlash from clubs wanting a greater say in who should be awarded an 18th licence – and when expansion should occur – in a system which would mirror the AFL’s approach to growing the competition. With no immediate end in sight to the Australian Rugby League Commission’s feud with players over stalled talks for a new...