Island and Ocean Ecosystems
12 December 2016, CBD COP13, Cancun Mexico - There are 20 Aichi Targets in all, endorsed at the tenth Conference of the Parties to the CBD in Nagoya, Japan in 2010. They help to meet five different strategic goals which aim to reduce the loss of biodiversity by the year 2020. Each day during the CBD COP13 we'll be sharing one of the Targets with you and examples of how the Pacific islands are meeting these. – #PacificProtectedAreas
Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
Target 9: By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment.
"We have carried out work in a number of different areas. At the policy and planning level, the Cook Islands has completed its National Invasive Species Strategy Action Plan (NISSAP) which is aligned to sector plans and Te Kaveinga Nui, the Cook Islands National Sustainable Development Plan. It has completed the development of its Early Detection Rapid Response plan (EDRR) to guide the country in controlling Invasive Alien Species once and if it arrives in the country. We have carried out a simulation exercise with the Biosecurity staff to determine its rapid response to invasive species once detected on the island. Our database to identify invasive species pathways is also completed.
When it comes to invasive species activities, we have managed to control red passionfruit (passiflora rubra) an invasive species on the island of Mauke. Red passionfruit has gotten to a stage where no adults plants are found, with a National Environment Service officer to monitor the site to ensure there are no adult plants and the seed bank is exhausted. We have also eradicated rattus rattus on the island of Suwarrow with more eradication programs to be done on the island in the next coming year.
We have engaged our local community in the control of invasive species, working with the Arorangi Boys Brigade on Rarotonga. We carried out work on mapping of cuscutta campestris a creeping plant not yet spread on Rarotonga but found only in four small areas. The Arorangi Boys Brigade was able to carry out an awareness program in the community to assist in identifying where the species are on the island." - Ms Elizabeth Munro, Cook Islands National Environment Service
Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
Target 9: By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment.
"We have carried out work in a number of different areas. At the policy and planning level, the Cook Islands has completed its National Invasive Species Strategy Action Plan (NISSAP) which is aligned to sector plans and Te Kaveinga Nui, the Cook Islands National Sustainable Development Plan. It has completed the development of its Early Detection Rapid Response plan (EDRR) to guide the country in controlling Invasive Alien Species once and if it arrives in the country. We have carried out a simulation exercise with the Biosecurity staff to determine its rapid response to invasive species once detected on the island. Our database to identify invasive species pathways is also completed.
When it comes to invasive species activities, we have managed to control red passionfruit (passiflora rubra) an invasive species on the island of Mauke. Red passionfruit has gotten to a stage where no adults plants are found, with a National Environment Service officer to monitor the site to ensure there are no adult plants and the seed bank is exhausted. We have also eradicated rattus rattus on the island of Suwarrow with more eradication programs to be done on the island in the next coming year.
We have engaged our local community in the control of invasive species, working with the Arorangi Boys Brigade on Rarotonga. We carried out work on mapping of cuscutta campestris a creeping plant not yet spread on Rarotonga but found only in four small areas. The Arorangi Boys Brigade was able to carry out an awareness program in the community to assist in identifying where the species are on the island." - Ms Elizabeth Munro, Cook Islands National Environment Service