13 March 2025, Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) - As part of ongoing efforts to improve invasive species management and biodiversity conservation, the Majuro Atoll Inter-Island Biosecurity Training was conducted in RMI empowering representatives from various RMI government agencies and stakeholders.
The training session enabled participants to collaboratively identify potential pathways for invasive species introduction and assess associated risks to develop effective strategies and biosecurity checklists to ensure the protection of island communities.
A collaboration between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce (MoNRC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) partner Island Conservation, resulted in capacity building of 30 participants from a number of government agencies and other stakeholder organisations.
Invasive species present serious challenges to island environments, affecting critical areas like food security, public health, biodiversity, culture, and infrastructure. As a global concern, these issues are particularly pronounced for atoll nations found in the region.
The reduction in seabird populations due to invasive species has extensive impacts on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, as these birds are essential for nutrient distribution to forests and nearshore reefs.
MoNRC Deputy Secretary, Mr Walter Myazoe, Jr. commented during the welcoming address that, “native species often struggle to compete with or defend against newly introduced species and the Republic of the Marshall Islands has already faced the impacts of various invasive species, including the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, Citrus Black Fly, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Black Rat, Red-vented Bulbul, and several invasive plant species.”
“With increasing trade and travel between islands and countries, the risk of new invasive species introductions continues to grow.”
The Deputy Secretary emphasised that early detection was crucial in preventing their establishment and mitigating potential ecological and economic damages and by addressing these challenges proactively RMI could save significant costs and help preserve its unique biodiversity.
“Vessels, including yachts, fishing boats, cargo/passenger ships, and commercial airlines, arrive from multiple locations, each presenting specific biosecurity risks.”
Participants attending the training were informed of RMI’s efforts to address invasive species challenges, through strong collaboration with SPREP and Island Conservation, where successful eradication operations have been carried out on several islands, including sites in Majuro Atoll and Nadrikdrik Atoll. Additionally, initiatives such as the PRISMSS Restoring Island Resilience Project have supported eradication efforts in Bikar, Bokak, and Jemo.
“With the continued support of our partners, the Ministry remains committed to strengthening cooperation, raising public awareness, and enhancing our ability to manage and prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.”
The recent endorsement of the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP) by Cabinet underscores the RMI Government’s commitment to a structured and comprehensive approach in addressing invasive species management.
The training sessions were designed and delivered to assist participants focus on understanding invasive species and interisland biosecurity on Majuro Atoll, collect information from local knowledge that can contribute to the islands' biosecurity plan, and develop an initial visitor's biosecurity checklist.
SPREP Project Manager for the GEF 6 Regional Invasive Species Project, Ms Isabell Rasch-Mulitalo shared that, “ensuring that boats are pest-free is crucial for protecting the environment, especially when it comes to preventing the spread of invasive species between ecosystems.”
“Boats and moving people can unintentionally transport harmful species from one island to another, potentially causing significant ecological damage.”
“Following the eradication activities delivered through the GEF 6 Regional Invasive Species Project, it is important to build awareness of the land owners, boat operators, and the public about the importance of maintaining pest-free boats and good inter-island biosecurity actions which can help keep our islands free of rats and other harmful invasive species from getting to islets in Majuro, and Nadikdik Atoll which are now rat free”.
Ms. Loredel Areieta, Programme Manager, Jo-Jikum who participated in the training, shared that, "it is alarming to learn that a number of invasive species on the island today have outcompeted native species.”
“But reassuring to know that there have been effective control measures that have been put in place to completely eradicate rodents in a few of the neighbouring islets around Majuro Atoll and it also requires collective effort from communities willing to change behaviours in order to reap the benefits.”
Mr David Jenkinson Tibon, Chief of Agriculture, MoNRC reflected that, “this training has enhanced my understanding of biosecurity principles, including risk assessment, prevention, and effective response strategies.”
“It reaffirmed the importance of coordinating with stakeholders and actively engaging community leaders to emphasise risks and the need for enhanced biosecurity control measures and by fostering strong community involvement, we can significantly enhance our defences against biosecurity threats”
SPREP, through PRISMSS, and partners Island Conservation with MoNRC, will collaboratively continue to enhance the capacity of local agencies to further strengthen inter-island biosecurity and enhance invasive species management in RMI and across the region.
Planning a trip to Majuro islets and Nadrikrik Atoll, please contact your RMI Quarantine division on how you can help stop invasion of invasive species.
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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 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 more information on the GEF 6 Regional Invasives Species Project (GEF 6 RIP), please contact the Project Manager Ms Isabell Rasch-Mulitalo, at isabellr@sprep.org
About PRISMSS: The Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) is a coordinating mechanism designed to facilitate the scaling up of operational management of invasive species in the Pacific. PRISMSS brings together experts to provide support within the Pacific region with a focus on protection of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystem function. As a service provider, PRISMSS provides a comprehensive suite of support services in a cohesive, effective, efficient, and accessible manner to Pacific Island countries and territories.
Restoring Island Resilience (RIR): The PRISMSS - Restoring Island Resilience (RIR) is a New Zealand-PRISMSS collaboration project that aims to improve Pacific Island Countries and territories livelihoods and resilience to climate change by reducing the impact of invasive species on natural and agricultural ecosystems through the five PRISMSS programmes.
For additional information please contact Mr Domnic Sadler, PRISMSS Manager on dominics@sprep.org or Mr Nitish Narayan, PRISMSS Communications & Liaison Officer on nitishn@sprep.org