Photo: National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa
Marine sancturary threatened by climate change
Climate change effects, such as coral bleaching and coastal erosion, are threatening habitats, resources, and ecosystems within the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report includes information on the status and trends of resources in the sanctuary, pressures on those resources, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment.
Based on information from 2007- 2020, the NOAA report concludes, overall, that water quality is good in the sanctuary, but the close proximity of the Futiga Landfill to Fagatele Bay and Fagalua/Fogama'a, and the sewage outfall in Aunu'u, raised concerns.
Despite coral bleaching events, predation by crown-of-thorns starfish, and a serious vessel grounding, coral reef habitats in the sanctuary are recovering.
Coral and coralline algae have proven resilient, but the status of important fish species is below desired levels in some areas of the sanctuary.
Marianas authorities looking into threats against schools
The Northern Marianas' Department of Public Safety is looking into threatening emails being sent to local entities like schools.
Department spokesperson Adrian Pangelinan told the Saipan Tribune they had been getting disturbance reports about death threats sent out via emails.
The sender's account used the name of a wanted fugitive.
The Department assured the community there was no direct threat to students.
Australia's vow to make Vanuatu security deal public
The Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, has promised a new security deal she signed with Vanuatu on Tuesday will be released publicly.
The Guardian reports Wong also left the door open to pursuing similar deals with other Pacific countries amid growing competition with China for influence.
She said the signing of a bilateral security agreement between Australia and Vanuatu followed 40 years of security cooperation.
Wong said Australia is "deeply proud" to be Vanuatu's principal security partner of choice.
She said the nations are committed to democracy, accountability and transparency and will ensure that the agreement is made publicly available.
The Guardian reports this was a reference to China, whose security deal with Solomon Islands has not been officially released.
Pathologist to clear backlog in Samoa
A forensic pathologist from Fiji has arrived in Samoa to help clear a backlog of post-mortems.
The Samoa Observer reports the Samoan government has an agreement in place with the Fiji Police Force to use their forensic pathologist, Dr James Kalougivaki, as Samoa has been without one for many years.
Deputy Police Commissioner, Papali'i Monalisa Tiai-Keti, confirmed that the forensic pathologist will have until December 23 to complete nine post-mortems to clear the backlog created by not having a forensic pathologist in Samoa.
EU gives extra month to Vanuatu to deal with visa issues
The European Union has given the Vanuatu Government more time to sort out issues which had prompted the suspension of visa free travel into EU countries.
They have until March 3 next year to satisfy EU requirements.
Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau has just returned from Brussels where he met EU officials to discuss the issues surrounding Vanuatu's visa waiver suspension.
Vanuatu's current visa waiver by the EU was due to be cancelled on February 14, after EU fears Vanuatu's citizenship programme could let terrorists and criminals in.
The EU Commissioner of Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, has said Vanuatu needs to provide higher security scrutiny and an added buffer in its citizenship applications screening process.
US envoy to meet Cooks prime minister
The United States' diplomatic envoy to New Zealand, Thomas Udall, is in the Cook Islands for three days of meetings with Government representatives, including Prime Minister Mark Brown.
The Ambassador is accompanied by economic, political, and cultural officials from the US Embassy in Wellington.
Udall's visit follows the participation by Brown and other Pacific leaders in the US-Pacific Island Country summit hosted by US President Joe Biden in Washington in September.
The summit issued a Joint Declaration on the US - Pacific Partnership which articulates agreed principles and areas for forward cooperation.
Youth recognised at Prime Minister's Pacific awards
Nine Pacific young people were recognised at this year's New Zealand's Prime Minister's Pacific youth awards held at Parliament in Wellington.
Now in it's 12th year, Pacific People's Minister, Aupito William Sio, said high calibre applicants demonstrated exceptional skills across eight categories including language and culture, leadership, entrepreneurship, arts, education and the community.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern congratulated the winners, saying the awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate Pasifika people's successes in Aotearoa.
"You've already contributed so much to your communities across Pacific, Aotearoa and beyond and I know it's taken a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve what you have. Wherever life takes you next, I hope these awards inspire you to head into the future with confidence in yourself, your abilities and your culture."