3 December 2024, Lincoln, New Zealand - The use of innovation, strategic coordination and sustainable approaches and practices to provide nature-based solutions to strengthen Pacific resilience, for scaling up invasive species management efforts, were reaffirmed during the recently held Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) led, Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) programme meeting, by technical and development partners.
Hosted by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (MWLR), in Lincoln, New Zealand, the weeklong PRISMSS meeting in mid-November provided an avenue for all partners to reflect and celebrate the success stories, discuss opportunities and challenges and plan the development of appropriate and meaningful programme-based solutions and scaling up of project activities across the Pacific.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT), Senior Adviser Climate Change and Environment, Mr John Clemo, shared, “MFAT sees the PRISMSS meeting as an important part of the effective delivery and coordination of invasive species programmes in the Pacific.”
“This meeting was a great opportunity for SPREP and its partners to connect together and discuss the climate impact being delivered through their work.”
Discussions held also enabled meeting representatives identify practical research and development areas to continue building the evidence base for PRISMSS programme work and systems to further contribute towards enhancing Pacific resilience and demystifying the climate and invasive species management nexus.
“The PRISMSS Meeting is a great opportunity for sharing experiences and ideas to support the development of PRISMSS and this partnership is lucky to have hugely experienced members who, together, are working to enhance invasive species management in the region, said PRISMSS Project Manager, Mr Dominic Sadler.
SPREP Invasive Species Adviser, Mr David Moverley commented that, “the first wave of PRISMSS supported PhD candidates are currently finishing up their studies and are preparing to share their findings through publishing in scientific journals and through written thesis.”
“Support from New Zealand and the University of Newcastle has allowed these Pacific students to add to our understanding of GEDSI, remote sensing and measuring increased resilience to ensure that the assistance PRISMSS provides is contextualised within the Pacific setting.”
Ms Lynley Hayes, from MWLR, the technical lead for the PRISMSS Natural Enemies-Natural Solutions (NENS) programme commented, “that we have come far from the very first meeting in 2019 to agree to form PRISMSS and draft a Declaration of Intent.”
“This PRISMSS meeting enhanced our understanding on the functionality of the Navigator tool and available data beyond just countries lodging requests for help and the fantastic opportunity for the PRISMSS to continue to grow and deliver even more benefits to the Pacific.”
The PRISMSS meeting brought together technical leads to workshop the development and strategic direction of PRISMSS and ensure programme alignment with the PRISMSS mandate ensuring that it benefits Pacific island countries and territories by improving invasive species management.
Island Conservation, Head of Operations, Mr Richard Griffiths shared that, “managing invasive species is a nature-based solution that can make a real difference for communities facing the realities of climate change and the work of PRISMSS is a developmental activity as it helps build better Pacific livelihoods.”
“We need more longer-term funding to scale up and provide the stability we need to make the difference that is needed.”
The meeting deliberations also enabled the participation of the PRISMSS-Restoring Island Resilience Project mid-term review team to provide an overview of their understanding of current approaches and strategic direction that PRISMSS has and how it can further improve and align to the needs of the Pacific communities.
Participants of the meeting also engaged in discussions to look at forging a way forward for communication and coordination gaps and how communication and visibility of PRISMSS interventions can be better coordinated amongst technical partners in compliance with the PRISMSS communications and marketing strategy.
Mr Steve Cranwell, Programme Manager, Pacific Islands Restoration with Birdlife Pacific commented, “what PRISMSS provides is an ability to meet a critical response addressing ecological and social needs for Pacific Islands and communities regionally.”
“The coordination of expertise and services enables priority actions to be implemented that reverse biodiversity loss and protect the natural resources Pacific communities rely on in unison increasing invasive species management capability.”
“Operating in this way PRISMSS is amplifying the strategic and operational effectiveness of donors, national and regional partners in delivering solutions to biodiversity loss and a changing climate.”
Technical leads participating in the meeting also reflected on how health and safety, use of traditional knowledge and ensuring GEDSI compliance can be captured and structured into programme delivery and contribute effectively towards building community climate resilience by managing invasive species.
Mr Riten Gosai, Biosecurity and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Officer, based with the Pacific Community (SPC) Land Resources Division shared during the meeting, “that strengthening inter agency collaboration and coordination and more collaboration among key agencies is essential for effective invasive species management in the region.”
“Sharing information, resources, best practices, and success stories can empower efforts and create a unified approach to combat invasive species across the region.”
“The importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge with a scientific research approach can enhance the effectiveness of invasive species management and biosecurity strategies by incorporating cultural perspectives and practices that have been effective in biodiversity conservation for generations.”
Sessions were also facilitated to strategize PRISMSS sustainability and ensure all programmatic needs are met as the need for upscaled efforts are implemented across Pacific island countries and territories.
PRISMSS will continue to improve coordination and implementation of solutions-based activities towards building resilience to climate change by reducing the impact of invasive species on natural and agricultural ecosystems through the five PRISMSS programmes across the Pacific.
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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 more information please contact Mr Dominic Sadler, PRISMSS Manager, on [email protected] or for additional information, Mr Nitish Narayan, PRISMSS Communications & Liaison Officer on [email protected]