Proposed Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: NOAA
Pacific/US - sanctuary
The United States National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, is seeking public comment on plans for the proposed Pacific Remote Islands sanctuary.
The planned sanctuary, which will not include any terrestrial areas, will cover about two million square kilometres within the US territories exclusive economic zones, and will include parts of the existing Pacific Islands Marine National Monument.
The NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries said the public scoping is the first phase in the designation process, during which the public can comment through to 2 June on the issues and impacts.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed sanctuary designation through June 2, 2023, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, www.regulations.gov, by searching for docket number NOAA-NOS-2023-0052. Comments may also be mailed if postmarked.
NOAA will host in-person public meetings in Guam on 17 May, Saipan on 18 May, Rota on 19 May, and Tinian on 20 May.
The meetings can also be joined virtually.
During the meetings, NOAA will gather input on boundaries, compatible uses, threats a new sanctuary would address, how best to promote marine science and education initiatives and other topics.
Last week, the Governors of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands requested to meet with US President Joe Biden over fishery concern raised by the monument plan.
The leaders are fearful over the potential damage to their fisheries industries.
Fiji - airline workers
More than 250 Air Terminal Service workers in Fiji will return to work after being laid off during the pandemic.
According to FBC News, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Air Service and the Federated Airline Staff Association.
Air Service board chair Shradha Sharma said they are hoping by next week they should be giving out employment letters for the staff to return to work, based on satisfactory medical and police clearance.
FSM - coconut industry
A government spokesperson for the Federated States of Micronesia says the territory is aiming to develop its coconut sector into one of its top export industries.
The department of Resources and Development estimates the revenue from coconut products can bring in $10 million each year.
Outgoing President David Panuelo launched the FSM Coconut National Export Strategy in November 2021.
Samoa - traffic laws
The growing number of traffic incidents in recent years in Samoa has prompted a review of the country's road rules.
The Samoa Law Reform Commission is inviting public submissions on the Review of the Traffic Laws of Samoa.
The Commission has been asked review the current laws and, taking account of Samoa's changing needs and best practice overseas, make recommendations for updates.
The public is invited to comment on a discussion paper available to download from the commission's website or to pick up at its physical office in Apia.
The paper, which was finalised in April this year, says from 2008 to 2018 there were 65 people jailed in Samoa for traffic offences causing serious injury or death.
All of the findings to date build on a preliminary review conducted in 2019 which found Samoa's traffic laws were outdated, disorganised and full of duplication.
Members of the public who want to make submissions have until the end of June this year.
Cook Islands - climate funding
Pacific Islands Forum chair Mark Brown is asking the Asian Development Bank to make it easier to access climate funding.
Mark Brown, who is also the Cook Islands Prime Minister, attended the Bank's 56th annual governors meeting in Incheon, South Korea, last week.
In a speech, Brown told attendees the Cook Islands has extreme levels of economic exposure to natural disasters, which are increasing in intensity and frequency as the climate changes.
Brown said the Cook Islands is required to borrow money to build resilience.
Papua New Guinea - immunisation rates
Health authorities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are struggling to raise immunisation rates in the country which are as low as 25 percent in some provinces.
UNICEF PNG said the national government is spearheading a campaign to raise the country's immunization coverage in children.
National Department of Health secretary Osborne Liko said immunisation coverage across the country is under 50 percent for measles, polio, whooping cough and tetanus.
Dr Liko said the low coverage was despite immunisation services being provided for free at all government-run health facilities.
A UNICEF spokesperson said the perception of the importance of vaccines for children declined by more than a third in PNG after the Covid-19 pandemic.
