23 January 2025, Niue - Invasive species in Niue threaten native biodiversity, agricultural production, and human well-being. Recognising this threat and the need for better coordination efforts to battle invasive species, Niue has endorsed their National Invasive Species Strategy Action Plan (NISSAP).
Invasive species continue to be a costly issue for all countries, particularly for island nations. With increasing trade and the movement of people between countries, the threat of new species arriving is increasing.
The NISSAP includes an overview of the current situation of invasive species and identifies the process for their management, the document details priority actions necessary to mitigate the impacts of invasive species in Niue and addresses the control or eradication of the worst of these species.
The development of the NISSAP for Niue is an activity under the GEF 6 Regional Invasives Project (GEF 6 RIP) which aims to strengthen national and regional capacities to reduce the impact of invasive alien species on globally significant biodiversity in the Pacific.
The GEF 6 RIP is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
NISSAPs are critical documents that ensure invasive species management is coordinated within a country or territory and that the different sectors involved with invasive species management work together toward the same goals.
The Honourable Mona Ainu’u, Minister of Environment, reflected on the NISSAP, “Niue Government Ministries, must attach considerable importance to this action plan, as it will now serve as the principal guide to their planning and operations surrounding invasive species”.
“The introduction of invasive species threatens the way of life of the Niue people as our one island is vulnerable to any invasive species and therefore, our society, together with government, have a vital role in ensuring that we effectively manage the invasive species already here, and do not introduce new ones. Everyone has a role to play in our collaboration to control and eradicate invasive species”.
The Hon. Minister emphasised that they have built the foundations of community support and capability to prevent and manage invasive species with these core pillars forming the foundation that will ensure the best systems and robust strategies are in place to manage invasive species.
“Invasive species do not distinguish between international borders or national boundaries, which means that the international partners and our local communities do need to work together. Our ability to deal with invasive species relies on the help of our government to provide the link between international organisations and local communities to build networks and partnerships”.
“In these rapidly changing environments, we need to urgently elevate the management of invasive species programs. This will certainly build our resilience to the dire Climate Change forecast and impacts. We are optimistic about the role of the SPREP’s Pacific Regional Invasive Species Support Service (PRISMSS) in upscaling the invasive species programme in Niue to help us restore our island’s resilience.”
Every country faces a wide range of invasive species causing various degrees of damage, many more than the country can address. Management has concentrated on plant and animal pests of the productive sector in the past and on direct threats to human health, but there has been growing recognition of their impacts on native biodiversity and the environment. A NISSAP can bring people in the different sectors and the wider community together to agree on the priorities.
The management of invasive species involves many different organisations, from government departments to non-governmental organisations, farmers, fishermen and women, and island communities and the NISSAP seeks to address this problem by bringing all stakeholders together around an agreed plan of priority actions, with clearly identified responsibilities and timeframes.
Managing invasive species involves many activities, including border control, awareness raising, research, monitoring, eradication, control, and risk assessment and a NISSAP allows appropriate prioritization of the different elements and the spread of resources across them.
The GEF 6 RIP Project Manager, Ms Isabell Rasch commented that, “when it comes to invasive species management there is often more work to be done than a Pacific Island country can manage due to limited resources. An approved NISSAP indicates that the country has undergone a prioritisation process involving a wide range of stakeholders, with the government endorsing the outcomes”.
“Niue’s NISSAP outlines the control or eradication of prioritized invasive species and presents a list of key tasks that require funding. It also assures potential funders that the country is committed to providing the necessary 'in-kind' support to achieve successful outcomes.”
The people of Niue value both the terrestrial and the marine environment. It is their livelihood and the need to protect and conserve it is of paramount to them. It is also important that the marine and terrestrial ecosystems are maintained and sustained for future generations.
The Niue Department of Environment will implement the NISSAP in cooperation with key stakeholders, community members, partners and continued technical assistance from PRISMSS.
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For more information on the GEF 6 Regional Invasives Species Project (GEF 6 RIP), please contact the Project Manager Ms Isabell Rasch, at [email protected]
The Niue NISSAP is now available for download on the Battler Resource Base, at:
https://brb.sprep.org/content/niues-nissap-national-invasive-species-strategy-and-action-plan-2021-2029
The GEF 6 Regional Invasives Project (RIP) is funded by the Global Environment Facility, implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme, and executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme. The Project works primarily in the Republic of Marshall Islands, Niue, Tonga, and Tuvalu and has a regional component. Implementation of the GEF 6 RIP is supported by the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Services (PRISMSS).
For additional information please contact the PRISMSS Communications & Liaison Officer at [email protected]