WWF - Conservation and environmental news & publications: Papua New Guinea

Gillard Government Rio+20 oceans announcement a welcome investment in protection for Coral Triangle and Pacific

2012-06-25

WWF-Australia today applauded the Australian Government for committing an additional $8 million towards the Coral Triangle Initiative and up to $25 million to the Pacific Oceanscape Framework.

The extra funding, announced by Prime Minister Gillard at the Rio+20 summit, will assist countries across the Asia Pacific to improve the management of their oceans and coast.

WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O'Gorman said the announcement was a welcome investment in the region.

"Last week's commitment to a national system of marine protected areas set an important example to the world," Mr O'Gorman said.

"This further announcement is a serious commitment from Australia to support the goals of the Rio+20 meeting and help re-focus the world's attention on the health of our oceans, and the need to invest in their conservation."

"Australia has developed world-class marine science and management expertise over many years and we hope this announcement will enable a greater sharing of that knowledge with our region.

"WWF further hopes that the vital role that the health of marine and coastal ecosystems play in supporting the livelihoods of billions of people around the world and hundreds of millions in our region is recognised strongly in the Rio +20 meeting."

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security was formed in 2009 by the six Coral Triangle governments. WWF is one of seven Development Partners that provide ongoing support to the Initiative.

Located in the waters off the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, the Coral Triangle is the world's marine life hotspot. It contains the highest diversity of iridescent corals, fish, crustaceans, molluscs and marine plant species on Earth.

The Pacific Oceanscape Framework aims to protect, manage, maintain and sustain the cultural and natural integrity of the Pacific Islands Ocean Region.

WWF and partners celebrate Coral Triangle Day on June 9

2012-05-16

WWF and its partners are celebrating the first-ever Coral Triangle Day on June 9 at several locations around the Coral Triangle region to highlight the importance of marine conservation and to raise awareness on this global center of marine biodiversity.

An interpretation of World Oceans Day in this part of the world, the Coral Triangle Day brings together individuals, organizations, and establishments from different parts of the region on one special day to celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of this region and to promote the importance of oceans through varied activities including: beach clean-ups; sustainable seafood dinners; educational exhibitions; marine-themed bazaars; and beach parties.

"WWF, along with its partners are encouraging everyone to do one special thing, no matter how small, that will contribute to saving the Coral Triangle and let the world know how we care about it by sharing it on the Coral Triangle online platform www.thecoraltriangle.com/day," says Dr Lida Pet-Soede, WWF Coral Triangle Programme Leader.

The Coral Triangle is a six million square-kilometer ocean expanse that contains the highest number of reef building corals on the planet. Its spectacular coral reefs systems are home to thousands of whales, dolphins, rays, sharks, and six of the world's seven species of marine turtles.

Spanning across six countries in Asia and the Pacific including Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor Leste and Solomon Islands, the Coral Triangle is also a nursery ground for highly valuable tuna species and much sought-after reef fish species. It directly sustains the lives of more than 120 million people who heavily depend on marine resources for food and income.

However, coastal development, destructive fishing, overfishing, unsustainable tourism, the illegal harvest and trade of endangered species, and climate change, among many others, are taking a heavy toll on this fragile marine ecosystem.

The Coral Triangle Day, envisioned to be an annual, open-sourced event, hopes to empower individuals to take specific action to help protect and conserve this globally-significant marine ecoregion.

"This unprecedented event aims to build a critical mass of supporters for the Coral Triangle on different levels of society by using a fun and exciting way for people in this part of the world to learn more about the significance of oceans," adds Pet-Soede.

Individuals, organizations, and establishments celebrating the Coral Triangle Day are encouraged to post their videos or photos on www.thecoraltriangle.com/day to show the world what they are doing for the oceans during this day and to help create a truly regional community of Coral Triangle supporters.

For more information on the Coral Triangle, visit www.thecoraltriangle.com. For more information on the Coral Triangle Day, visit www.thecoraltriangle.com/day

For further information:
Paolo P. Mangahas, Communications Manager, WWF Coral Triangle Programme, +603 7803 3772, pmangahas@wwf.org.my

Poor environmental performance seen as risk in palm oil investment

2012-04-29

Singapore - Environmental and social impacts of palm oil plantations could pose a material risk to investment in the fast growing sector, according to an investor survey released by WWF to a recent high-level meeting of investors and producers.

WWF's first-of-its-kind Palm Oil Investor Review 2012 underlines how growing concern over deforestation, biodiversity loss and community conflict could impact the industry and shows the intensifying spotlight being placed by investors on the sustainability of the palm oil industry.

More than 50 million tonnes of palm oil are used worldwide each year in everyday products including food and cosmetics. From 2010 to 2020, this volume is projected to increase by over 65%. The growing demand for palm oil has resulted in rapid and poorly managed expansion of production, causing deforestation, species loss, greenhouse gas emissions and social conflicts with local communities.

"Investors are increasingly aware of the strong link between sustainability and long term investment success," said WWF's Jeanne Stampe, co-author of the report. "Investee companies that integrate sustainability into the core strategy and operations are better able to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities, thereby deriving business benefits and delivering better investment performance."

WWF surveyed 35 key palm oil sector investors to assess their views and management of the sustainability challenges inherent in the palm oil industry.

Nearly two thirds of the investors surveyed are experiencing increasing demand for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) screens from their institutional clients and this is magnifying their focus on ESG issues. Even passive investors such as index funds are starting to show interest in new ESG overlays.

While a larger majority of investors (69%) already apply a responsible investment policy, many of these policies do not extend beyond governance, however over 50% of investors would consider creating dedicated policies e.g. a broader sustainable land-use policy.

Investors do face internal organizational constraints in addressing ESG risks such as the lack of internal ESG capabilities or firm-wide access to internal ESG analysts, but several are actively looking at internal strategic options to address these constraints, for example formulating centralised ESG risk functions and boosting internal ESG analyst teams.

"The palm oil sector presents an attractive growth proposition for investors, but ESG issues and the lack of company disclosure still cloud the ability of many to invest," said Stampe.

According to investors, reputational risk, poor environmental performance and lack of company ESG disclosure pose the greatest challenges to greater investment into the sector and the key factors to overcome these are availability of key data, the strengthening of the RSPO, demonstrable progress by its members toward certification and legislative changes that support the RSPO.

Investors see the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) as the most influential initiative and the de facto standard for investment screens, but want it to cover more issues such as corruption and have "more teeth", to ensure that members make and meet their commitments towards sustainable palm oil.

WWF support

WWF sees the financial sector as an important driver of sustainable palm oil production and trade. "Investors are uniquely placed to influence investee companies to adopt sustainable practices through active engagement and exercise of proxy voting rights, and through directing their investment capital towards sustainable palm oil producers," said Stampe.

The report provides in-depth recommendations to assist investors to overcome some of these challenges so as to maximise their ability to guide the industry. WWF will continue to support the financial sector by providing information and guidance through tools, research updates, and workshops with finance sector partners.

"If we all – investors, the RSPO and stakeholders such as WWF – work together, we can ensure that the palm oil industry expands in a sustainable way, so that long-term investment returns are enhanced and emerging economies benefit from sustainable development." said Jeanne Stampe.

For further information:

Chris Chaplin - Media Officer Asia Pacific, WWF International,
+86 10 6511 6272, Mobile: +86 13911747472, cchaplin@wwf.sg

South West Pacific Longline Caught Albacore: Going, Going, Gone?

2012-03-28

This report examines the impacts of increased fishing effort on the South Pacific Albacore tuna stock, and what steps must be taken to avoid not only depleting the stock, but also species affected by bycatch such as sharks and turtles.

WWF recognises the legitimate aspirations of Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to increase the value from tuna fisheries in their exclusive economic zones.

There is however, considerable concern about the rapid growth in the longline fleets from both the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) and Chinese Taipei (i.e. as referred to in WCPFC) in the Western and Central Pacific amongst WWF, Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) fishery managers, and domestic vessel owners in these SIDS.

Of the total South Pacific Albacore (SPA) catch of 75,000 tonnes (2010), Chinese and Chinese Taipei catch has increased from 24,000 (2000-2004) to 53,000 tonnes.

This catch is derived from around 300 vessels registered in China and Chinese Taipei, but also a growing fleet of 300 plus vessels now fishing under charter, or reflagging to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Kiribati.

Growing China and Chinese Taipei fishing activity is believed to have increased both in response to a rapid building strategy of new cost efficient vessels, to economic incentives and support and to fleets transferring from the Indian Ocean, in response to the piracy problems there.

As well as finding homes in Pacific Island Countries (PICs), these vessels are also increasing their effort on the high seas, which makes up around half of the total WCPO catch. This growth in effort is leading to localised depletion of the adult stock, and increased effort south of 20⁰S, on the juvenile migrating stock, which is contributing to a reduction in biomass, and with the stock rapidly approaching MSY. Equally, all fleets are now experiencing significant reductions in catch per unit effort (CPUE) in response to an increase in adult fishing mortality.

The effectiveness of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2005-02, as amended in 2010, to protect the southern Albacore stock, is now questionable, albeit that the scientists still maintain that the stock remains within biological limits.

This increase in effort will also likely have a significant impact on the other target species - bigeye and yellowfin tunas. The achievement in reducing effort by the Japanese and Korean longline fleet on these stocks could well be undermined by the increasing catches from China and Chinese Taipei.

This increase in longline activity also poses an increasing threat to oceanic shark populations caught as bycatch and which now appear to be showing signs of rapid depletion.

Similarly, fishery impacts on turtles and birds require constant monitoring. Again, whilst fully supporting the legitimate aspirations of SIDS, within a robust and responsible sustainability framework to develop domestic fisheries – as required under CMM 2005-02/2010-05 - anecdotal industry evidence indicates that there is a serious problem with over-licensing in a number of WCPO SIDS.

WWF supports the efforts of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Te Vaka Moana, (TVM) and its member countries, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), other PICS with target albacore fisheries, the Pacific Islands Tuna Industry Association (PITIA) and other non-aligned Parties to strengthen the management strategy for the albacore longline fishery and to address the related species interaction issues.

Measures aimed at introducing effective capacity limits and effort management must be urgently addressed by WCPFC and the region's domestic fisheries managers.

WWF congratulates Pacific Islands for certification of major tuna fishery

2012-01-10

Gland, Switzerland: A skipjack tuna fishery managed by eight Pacific Island nations has been certified as sustainable to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard, a move WWF says will promote the future health of tuna stocks in the region, bring major benefits to the fishing industry, and have positive repercussions for consumers around the world.

The certification has been awarded conditionally to the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) purse seine free-schooling skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) fishery, managed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Convention.

The PNA free-school skipjack catch equates to an annual harvest of 275,000 metric tons – roughly the same weight as 490 fully-fuelled Airbus A380s - at a value of approximately US$1.3 billion at the retail level, with minimal bycatch of other species and juvenile tuna. Consumers, in the not too distant future, could see close to one billion 148-gram cans of tuna harvested from this MSC-certified sustainable fishery on supermarket shelves.

"The Western and Central Pacific skipjack stock hold about 10 per cent of the world's tuna stock. This is the largest tuna fishery to have achieved MSC certification, a standard that will help ensure this valuable fishery can achieve a healthy state," says Mark Schreffler, Fisheries Policy Officer, WWF Western Melanesia Programme.

However, Schreffler cautions that there is still a great deal of work to be done by the PNA, the WCPFC and its partners over the next few years to fully meet the conditions set by the assessment.

"The challenge now is the implementation of robust harvest strategies and reference points by the WCPFC in partnership with the PNA. WWF believes effective, sustainable fisheries management of the Western and Central Pacific tuna stocks must also occur at the Commission level as well as within the waters of the PNA," says Mr. Scheffler.

WWF will continue to work with the WCPFC, PNA and member states to meet the conditions of the certification and help ensure that the PNA fishery can maintain its MSC certification.

The PNA has done much in developing a collaborative approach to more sustainable fisheries management that has significantly boosted their capacity to assist in managing the region's tuna fisheries in a manner consistent with the MSC certification and their individual national development aspirations.

For further information:

Mark Schreffler, WWF Western Melanesia Programme, Papua New Guinea
(675) 320 0149, mschrefflery@wwfwm.org

Daniel Suddaby, WWF Smart Fishing Initiative (Global Fisheries Programme)
+44(0) 207 221 5395 Daniel.suddaby@wwf.panda.org

Palm oil industry shifts gears, commits to market transformation

2011-11-24

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – The 9th annual Meeting of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) concluded today with a vote at the General Assembly (GA) where most RSPO members present supported a new vision for the organization – to transform the palm industry into one where sustainability becomes an everyday practice for all.

To date RSPO members have produced over 5.2 milion tonnes of palm oil certified to strict standards that help ensure that forests, species and communities are not harmed by palm oil production.

"The entire value chain needs to be part of the solution and not the problem," said Adam Harrison, Senior Policy Officer for WWF UK and WWF's representative on the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Executive Board. "The RSPO has moved from just certifying growers to transforming the whole industry, which says to me that the organization is growing up and is starting to deliver on the ambition it set for itself. Nevertheless, in order for the RSPO to deliver on this transformation, companies along the entire value chain need to be more transparent and take control of the oil palm they are producing, trading, using and selling."

More transparency, better traceability

According to WWF, one of the major hurdles facing the future of CSPO is the industry's overall lack transparency and limited efforts to implement proper traceability. The WWF's Palm Oil Buyers' Scorecard 2011, which was released in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday, identified both of these as major challenges, saying that the lack of collective will to solve these problems is risks becoming a major disincentive to further certification.

WWF says that buyers of CSPO need to take control of their supply chains and declare how much certified sustainable palm oil they are using. This would provide growers with the reassurance they need to say in business, and show consumers that they are serious about their commitments and acting responsibly.

Transforming the market also requires strong support from traders, who wield considerable influence. Traders must ensure the traceability of the palm oil they are buying and supplying to their customers, which could act as a major catalyst for future market growth and offer the assurances currently lacking along the supply chain.

Meanwhile, growers would benefit from increased transparency and better traceability by gaining a stronger sense confidence, more control over their management units, and an overall increase of returns on their commitment to providing certified sustainable palm oil.

Palm oil industry shows resolve in addressing climate change

Another key recommendation that emerged at the 3-day meet was that the RSPO's Principals & Criteria should include a 0 net carbon emission clause, setting a new benchmark for companies that aim to produce palm oil in a responsible manner.  

"Reducing greenhouse gases is a huge challenge facing the industry in the region, and it is a very welcome sign that the RSPO has reached consensus on how to tackle GHGs and made a recommendation to change the organization's standards to accommodate this critical issue," said Irwan Gunawan, WWF Indonesia's Corporate Engagement Manager.

***

Update: The RSPO has announced that due to insufficient quorum, eligible members that could not attend the General Assembly are expected to cast their ballots via email:

On November 24th 2011, the 8th General Assembly for the RSPO Members was held at Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu. Due to the insufficient quorum (50% of the total Ordinary Membership required: 549 in total), the 224 attending members voted that the following procedure be adopted:

    1.           I.          A balloting/voting process by the attending members of all the resolutions proposed
    2.         II.          Thereafter, an email will be circulated to all eligible members who could not attend the General assembly, to cast their ballot on the individual resolutions.
    3.        III.          All votes received via email will be reconciled with those that were cast during the GA8 and all members will be informed on the final results which will also be published on the website.

No specific timeline was given for the results of the final vote.

For more information, please visit http://www.rspo.org/?q=content/announcement-8th-general-assembly-24th-november-2011

Invest in the future of the Coral Triangle

2011-11-03

Jakarta, Indonesia - The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has launched a new regional campaign that encourages individuals to buy virtual property across the Coral Triangle, the world's center of marine life.

The innovative online MyCoralTriangle campaign will make ample use of social media, a series of print advertisements, and a 30-second television commercial that will lead online audiences to www.panda.org/mycoraltriangle, where they can buy a "spot" in the Coral Triangle for just US$5.

The money raised will go towards WWF's ongoing efforts to conserve the region's spectacular environment in protected areas including Wakatobi and Semporna.

The Coral Triangle encompasses Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor L'Este. It is home to 6 of the world's 7 species of marine turtles, and a place where whales, dolphins, dugongs, and the world's largest fish, the whaleshark, live.

More than 120 million people also depend heavily on the region's marine resources for food and income.

"The Coral Triangle is where a big portion of the world's tuna supply comes from. From here, tuna finds its way to local markets and also on to your dinner table. It's very likely that the seafood you enjoy at your favorite restaurants comes from the Coral Triangle, as it is home to thousands of the world's reef fish species," said Dr Lida Pet-Soede, Head of the WWF Coral Triangle Programme.

"For as little as US$5 - the price of a cup of coffee or an afternoon meal – supporters can invest in the future of the Coral Triangle, a region facing serious challenges including overfishing and climate change," added Dr Pet-Soede.

Why we need your commitment: growing challenges

Located in the heart of Asia Pacific's rapidly expanding economies, the Coral Triangle is facing incredible pressure from the region's growing financial clout.

Increasing demands for food means that fishing boats are extracting tuna and reef fish out of the sea faster than populations can replenish themselves, and many are caught using highly damaging practices.

People are also feeling the crunch, with climate change now dramatically altering the lives of millions of people.

"The Coral Triangle is a place the world simply cannot do without. We urgently need your support to protect the future of this globally-significant ecoregion," said Dr Pet-Soede.

MyCoralTriangle will be simultaneously launched on 3 November in four pilot markets: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia and driven by the WWF national offices in these countries.

The campaign has been developed through partnership of the WWF Coral Triangle Program and Dentsu Asia, together with WWF-Hong Kong, WWF-Indonesia, WWF-Malaysia, WWF-Philippines and the Asia Pacific Growth Team (APGT), with the support of WWF International.

Visit www.panda.org/mycoraltriangle now and invest in your future.

Vibrancy of Coral Triangle captured in new WWF book

2011-10-27

Jakarta, Indonesia - The stunning results of an unprecedented photojournalistic expedition have been released in the new book The Coral Triangle, a 272-page masterwork of images and essays that showcase the incredible diversity of people, places and species living amidst the world's richest marine environment.

Implemented by WWF and the Freund Factory, the 18-month journey took wildlife photographers Jürgen Freund and Stella Chiu-Freund across the Coral Triangle, a 6 million km2 expanse of land and sea that encompasses Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.

"The goal of the Coral Triangle expedition was to demonstrate the connectivity between the wildlife and peoples of the region, the threats they face, and the partners working together to help protect this world's centre of marine life" said Dr. Lida Pet-Soede, Head of WWF's Coral Triangle Programme.

"We wanted the world to sit up and take notice, so we commissioned one of the world's best wildlife photographic teams to embark on this challenging journey," Dr. Pet-Soede added.

The book includes over 400 stunning photographs that highlight the region's extraordinary abundance of life – coral reefs, whales, dolphins, sharks and a brilliant kaleidoscope of reef fish interspersed with essays on the Coral Triangle by conservation experts from around the world.

"Beauty is everywhere in this fragile marine environment, from the birds to the smallest creature underwater. And despite all that is being asked of it, this phenomenal place that is the Coral Triangle still holds wealth of unimaginable proportions," remarked Stella Freund.

"Many places we visited in the Coral Triangle were small islands packed with people. Fishermen are everywhere we have been, and their lives, as well as the lives of their wives and children, are inextricably linked with the sea. The sea feeds all—and the sea is under so much pressure," observed Stella Freund.

"The Coral Triangle is brimming with marine life but is struggling to support human demands on its finite resources. If this level of unsustainable consumption is not urgently curbed, millions of people whose lives directly depend on the sea will soon be compromised," adds Dr. Pet-Soede.

During the release event in Jakarta, the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) announced a selection of notable achievements over the past year, including the CTI-CFF website, CTI Learning Network Portal, and the CTI-CFF History Book. The Coral Triangle has been published by the WWF, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Freund Factory.

The Coral Triangle will be available in selected WWF offices in the coming weeks, including Australia, Hong Kong, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, USA, and the UK.

Please refer to the Coral Triangle book webpage at www.panda.org/coraltriangle/photobook for updates on the book's price and availablity.

More investment key to protecting Coral Triangle

2011-10-12

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Innovative incentives and increased investment from the private sector are crucial for the long-term health of the Coral Triangle region and the millions of people that depend on the marine environment for their livelihoods, says WWF.

The remarks came during the Coral Triangle Initiative Regional Business Forum 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, which closed on 11 October after 2 days of deliberations over how the private and public sectors can work together to protect the world's most diverse marine ecosystem.

"We are already seeing some encouraging sustainable and responsible initiatives take hold in Coral Triangle region, particularly in the form of public-private partnerships," says Dr. Lida Pet-Soede Leader of the Coral Triangle Initiative.

Among the several public-private partnerships recognized at the forum is a multi-stakeholder collaboration between Coop/Bell Seafood of Switzerland, Seafresh of The Netherlands, the Government of Germany, the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and WWF-Philippines on a project to improve the management of tuna handline fisheries.

"While many business-backed initiatives are showing that there is a way forward, a lot more effort needs to go into assessing food security for the whole Coral Triangle. Action on this front would allow more room for investment and the creation of enabling government policies to address long-term aspects of food security throughout the region. Furthermore, it could inform development and innovation in technology to improve food security where it matters most," added Dr. Pet-Soede.

A total of six nations make up the Coral Triangle – Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.

Global Biodiversity Hub
A 10-year marine conservation initiative for the Coral Triangle was also announced at the forum, a move that is expected to infuse RM1.5 billion (US$475 million) into the regional economy and create 2,900 new jobs up to the year 2020.

The Malaysian National News agency Bernama reported that Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman made the announcement in the Malaysian capital on the first day of the forum.

The new plan would see the creation of a Global Biodiversity Hub (GBH) in Sabah, Malaysia, which will help coordinate the sustainable development of marine resources within the Coral Triangle by working with the region's broad community of fishermen and seeking to improve the livelihoods of farmers.

Over 70 per cent of the funding for the estimated RM$896 million (US$284 million) GBH will come from the private sector.

"[The Coral Triangle] is...home to over 3,000 species of reef fish and refuge for six of the world's seven species of marine turtles," said Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

"We must be mindful of the negative repercussions, including loss of income and reliable food supply, for the over 120 million people who depend on resources within the [Coral Triangle]," he added.

The Chief Minister also added that estimates of the total monetary value of the region's natural marine habitats amounted to at around US$2.3 billion yearly in terms of fisheries, tourism and other related activities.

Sabah is the only Malaysian state in located within the Coral Triangle. It is also part of the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Eco-region.

ENDS
-----------------
Notes to editors

♣    The Coral Triangle includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. With 5.7 million square kilometers of critical ocean and terrestrial ecosystems, the Coral Triangle supports the world's highest concentration of marine biodiversity. It provides livelihoods for 240 million people and food security for millions more. The area is threatened by over-fishing and destructive fishing practices, land and sea-based pollution, and significant climate change impacts.
♣    The Coral Triangle is home to 76% of the world's known coral species, 37% of the world's coral reef fish species, and commercially-valuable species such as tuna, whales, dolphins, rays, sharks, including 6 of the world's 7 known species of marine turtles.
♣    The Coral Triangle directly sustains the lives of more than 120 million people and contains key spawning and nursery grounds for tuna. Its reef and coastal systems also underpin a growing tourism sector.
♣    WWF is working with governments, local communities, businesses, and consumers to promote sustainable development in this region. For information on Coral Triangle go to: www.panda.org/coraltriangle

For further information:

Paolo P. Mangahas, Communications Manager, WWF Coral Triangle Programme, Tel: +603 7803 3772, Email: pmangahas@wwf.org.my

More investment key to protecting Coral Triangle

2011-10-12

Coral Triangle businesses partner for conservation breakthroughs

2011-10-07

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Hundreds of business, government and civil society leaders will come together for the Coral Triangle Initiative Regional Business Forum next week and take serious steps towards protecting the world's most diverse marine environment.

Held from October 10 – 11 in Kuala Lumpur, the forum will broadly address Innovative Solutions Today for Sustainable Resources Tomorrow in the 6 Coral Triangle nations - Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste.

"Strong public and private partnerships are vital for a healthy Coral Triangle, a marine environment on which over 120 million people depend," said Dr Lida Pet-Soede, leader of the Coral Triangle Initiative.

"Long term solutions that support responsible fishing practices, such as the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort's partnership with the local community to protect endangered dugongs in Sabah, Malaysia, for example, are the kind of forward-looking solutions that the Coral Triangle needs," Dr. Pet-Soede added.

Hosted by the Government of Malaysia with support from USAID's US CTI Support Program and WWF, the forum will host over 200 representatives from international businesses such as Google USA, Nokia, Shangri-La Hotels, TESCO chain stores, Frost & Sullivan, and Wind Wheel Tree Turbines.

A complete programme and list of participating speakers is available on the forum's website, http://www.ctibusinessforum2011.com.

Coral Triangle governments are expected to announce new public-private partnerships in multiple business sectors including ecotourism, commercial fisheries, and energy management.

More than 1000 new species found in New Guinea

2011-06-27

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - A remarkable 1,060 new species have been discovered the island of New Guinea from 1998 to 2008, but poorly planned and unsustainable development - particularly from logging and forest conversion to agriculture - is putting many of these unique creatures at risk, a new WWF study finds.

Final Frontier: Newly Discovered species of New Guinea (1998 – 2008) shows that 218 new kinds of plants - close to 100 of which are orchids - 43 reptiles and 12 mammals, including a unique snub-fin dolphin, have been found on the tropical island over a ten year period.

Added to the tally is an astounding 580 invertebrates and 134 amphibians, 2 birds and 71 fish, among them an extremely rare 2.5m long river shark.

"This report shows that New Guinea's forests and rivers are among the richest and most biodiverse in the world. But it also shows us that unchecked human demand can push even the wealthiest environments to bankruptcy," says Dr. Neil Stronach, WWF Western Melanesia's Program Representative.

Untouched rainforest
New Guinea is the largest tropical island on Earth and is divided between the countries of Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the East and Indonesia in the West. It contains the third largest tract of rainforest in the world after the Amazon and the Congo.

View WWF Critical Regions of the World in a larger map

This mysterious island covers less than 0.5 per cent of the Earth's landmass but shelters 6 to 8 per cent of the world's species. Over two thirds of these species are found nowhere else on earth.

It is also home to Asia's most pristine rivers and wetlands. Its natural gifts also extend to the reefs surrounding New Guinea, in the heart of the Coral Triangle, which have the world's highest concentration of coral and reef fish.

"If you look at New Guinea in terms of biological diversity, it is much more like a continent than an island," says Dr. Stronach. "Scientists found an average of two new species each week from 1998 – 2008 – nearly unheard of in this day and age," he says.

No fewer than seven brightly colored new species of rainbow fish were identified in PNG and Papua in Indonesia over the ten-year period, including Allen's rainbow fish (Chilatherina alleni).

WWF scientists added to the known orchid diversity found on the island, collecting hundreds of orchids in PNG's Kikori region. Eight of these were new to science, including the ornate and exquisite firework-like display of the Dendrobium spectabile orchid.

Alarming rate of forest loss
"Despite its remote location, New Guinea's natural habitats are being lost at an alarming rate. The island's forests are facing serious threats including logging, mining, wildlife trade and conversion to agriculture, particularly oil palm," says Dr. Eric Verheij, Conservation Director, WWF Western Melanesia.

In PNG between 1972 and 2002, independent studies have shown that 24 per cent of rainforests were cleared or degraded through logging or subsistence agriculture.

The same studies point out that the forest clearance rate for forests accessible to industrial logging is up to 3.4 per cent annually, much higher than previously reported.

China buys close to 82 per cent of PNG's timber exports each year, representing a total volume of over two million cubic meters. Studies suggest 70 per cent of this logging is illegal.

Demand for palm oil is also destroying many of New Guinea's most valuable rainforests. Large forest areas on the island (and across the region) are being cleared for oil palm monocultures, destroying critical habitat for many endangered species. The destruction of these forests, which are usually cleared by burning releases huge amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere and accelerates climate change.

However, many oil palm producers in New Guinea and around the world are pursing certification through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the world's most credible sustainable palm oil initiative. Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) guarantees that social and environmental safeguards have been met during production. And importantly, CSPO also assures that high conservation value forests haven't been cleared.

Based on the first chapter of WWF's new Living Forests Report, more than 230 million hectares of forest will disappear around the world by 2050 if no action is taken. The report proposes that policymakers and businesses unite around a goal of Zero Net Deforestation and Degradation (ZNDD) by 2020 as a global benchmark to avoid dangerous climate change and curb biodiversity loss.

"As a region with high rates of poverty, it is absolutely essential that New Guinea's precious reefs, rainforests, and wetlands are not plundered but managed sustainably for future generations," says Dr Susanne Schmitt, New Guinea Programme Manager at WWF-UK.

"Environmental protection and economic development must go together to ensure the survival of New Guinea's unique species and natural habitats," added Dr. Schmitt.

Another fisheries commission fails the tuna test

2010-12-11

Honolulu, Hawaii: The Commission responsible for managing tuna resources in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean has yet again failed to take any effective action to reduce the decline of valuable big eye and yellowfin tuna.

The failure, just weeks after the Atlantic tuna commission made only cosmetic cuts to Mediterranean bluefin tuna catch quotas, adding to increasing scepticism that the global system of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) can prevent the unsustainable plunder of the world's oceans.

The week long Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) annual meeting in Hawaii saw strong interventions from Japan and the EU on the urgent need to freeze fishing capacity of purse seine super fleets and fishing pressure on the most stressed tuna stocks, moves that won support from the US and some other powerful fishing states.

But the WCPFC ultimately stuck to the familiar course of throwing overboard the scientific advice, rejecting its own Scientific Committee's recommendation of an immediate 29 per cent reduction in the big eye tuna catch.

"Once again we see the WCPFC failing to hear their own scientific advice and condemning the region's most stressed tuna stocks to another year of overfishing," said Peter Trott, Fisheries Program Manager with WWF-Australia.

"I have never seen such strong support from the big fishing nations on the need to reduce pressure on big eye and other stressed stocks but this was still not enough to make any real progress on halting the decline of these species."

"absurd" conservation measure for striped marlin

There were some positives to emerge from the meeting, most significantly agreement to develop a shark research plan and introduce greater monitoring and reporting of shark catches. A conservation measure was also adopted for heavily fished Northern Bluefin tuna.

And the Commission agreed to finally go ahead with an independent review of its own performance, a commitment originally made years ago.

"This level of agreement on shark catch has been one of only a few progressive steps taken at this year's meeting and we hope it will help better inform, and stop the decline of key shark species within the region," Mr Trott said.

But the credibility of the WCPFC was further undermined with an absurd conservation measure for overfished striped marlin that according to the Commission's scientific advisor will allow the catch to increase.

"This level of agreement on shark catches has been one of only a few progressive steps taken at this years meeting and we hope it will help better inform, and stop the decline of key shark species within the region," Mr Trott said.

"The WCPFC meeting in Hawaii demonstrated that its most powerful fishing members are ringing the alarm bells of the regions tuna stocks, calling out for urgent action on its most critical issues," Mr Trott said.

"Unfortunately the Commission still lacks the teeth required to meet its responsibilities in terms of conservation and sustainability."

WWF is advocating consideration of new rights- basedmanagement frameworks, cuts to fishing effort from the industrial purse seine sector, care over initiatives that could largely have the effect of displacing rather than reducing fishing effort.

"Most importantly however, the WCPFC should take heed of its contribution to the failures of global fishing regulation and be prepared to set the example in terms of following the scientific advice," Mr Trott said.

For more information: Peter Trott, Fisheries Program Manager, WWF-Australia, +61 437 960 812, ptrott@wwf.org.au

Western Pacific island states taking back control of their fisheries

2010-04-27

Brussels, Belgium: A group of western Pacific nations is showing the way in making major fisheries both environmentally and economically sustainable, WWF said today as the world's leading seafood fair opened in Brussels, Belgium.

It was announced today that the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu had submitted a key element of their shared tuna fisheries for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification – the highest and most extensive sustainability certification available.

The application, which will cover about half of the total tuna catch for the area, breaks new ground in the number of national parties involved, the size of the fishery involved and the area of sea covered
It follows a string of other recent substantial steps by the nations, who together are Parties to the 1983 Nauru Agreement on terms and conditions for tuna purse seine fishing in the region.

"These eight nations are to be commended for the lead they are taking on sustainable fishing issues," said WWF International Director General James Leape.

"We are seeing – and strongly support – Western Pacific fisheries conservation measures that are world firsts, such as the closure of high seas pockets between their economic zones, controls on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and 100% observer coverage for purse seine fishing vessels.

"We are also seeing innovative economic measures to ensure that these countries reap more of the benefit from fishing in their waters, including the introduction of competitive bidding for fishing rights, crewing agreements and moves to bring tuna processing into the region."

The waters to be covered by these measures and the new certification application substantially overlap with WWF priority areas of the Coral Triangle and South West Pacific and will influence tuna management over much larger areas of the Pacific and potentially Indian Oceans.

"We are encouraged by new initiatives by neighbouring nations such as Indonesia, which recently imposed a moratorium on new licences for purse seine fishing and trawlers," Mr Leape said. "The whole region, moving together, has the potential to take the global effort to make fisheries sustainable to a whole new level."

About half the global purse seine tuna fleet is active in the waters controlled by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement.

The MSC evaluation will only assess skipjack tuna caught in purse seine fisheries in "free swimming" unassociated sets, a fishing technique that yields the lowest likelihood of catching other overfished species such as juvenile yellowfin and bigeye tunas. This distinct section of the fishery catches approximately 560,000 tonnes of skipjack tuna per year in the Western and Central Pacific with no recourse to Fish Aggregating Devices, floating platforms to which high seas fish are attracted.

The PNA nations also have introduced some of the toughest bycatch rules for dolphins, sharks and turtles.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), co-founded in 1997 by WWF and Unilever, then the world's largest buyer of seafood, rewards sustainable and well-managed fisheries with its distinctive blue eco-label.

The MSC, an independent non-profit organisation, has developed an environmental standard for sustainable fishing in co-operation with NGOs, scientists and the fishing industry. In order to be certified, qualifying fisheries must prove to an independent assessment team that their fishery is well managed and that fish stocks are healthy.

"This assessment is an important development in the history of the MSC and I am pleased to see the eight PNA states move this fishery into MSC full assessment so shortly after their announcement of intention earlier this year," said Chris Ninnes, Deputy Chief Executive of the MSC.

"If the assessment process finds the fishery meets the MSC standard, about half of the skipjack tuna caught from the Western and Central Pacific, will be eligible to bear the MSC ecolabel. This would be a significant milestone towards satisfying some of the demand for credible, certified sustainable skipjack tuna for the canned market.

"I wish this fishery every success with their assessment."

For further information:
Phil Dickie, WWF International News Editor, +41 79 703 1952, pdickie@wwfint.org

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

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WWF Turtle Workshop

2010-02-10

Last week the WWF South Pacific Programme Office (SPPO) staged a week long workshop for the people of Vanua Levu in Turtle conservation and monitoring.

The workshop saw people from all over Vanua Levu including Mali, Yaqaga, Yandua, Namuka, and Kia gather together in Nakalou village, Macuata to learn more about the endangered Sea Turtle.

The first day of the workshop discussed with its students the importance of turtles in the South Pacific, how to spot the difference between the seven different types of sea turtle – six of which can be found in Fijian waters.

During the second day the workshops focus moved to the areas of turtle conservation and monitoring and students presented to the group their ideas to help protect fragile sea turtles in Fiji.

Following a short classroom session in the techniques of turtle monitoring, such as measuring, determining a turtle's gender and flipper tagging, the students took to the beach to put their newly learnt conservations skills into practice.

The workshop achieved the rare task of tagging two small Green Turtles and catching a large 1.3 meter long adult female that will later be satellite tagged in Nadi.

The success of the tagging exercise means that we will be able to better understand turtle movements around Fiji, particularity with the satellite tag. We gather a wealth of information every time we perform the task and it helps scientists and conservationists all over the world better understand these mysterious creations and thus better understand how to protect them."

Everyone involved was very happy with the outcome of this turtle workshop, not only was attendance excellent and, by all accounts, everyone fully enjoyed themselves, but we managed to flipper tag two small Green Turtles and catch one large enough to satellite tag! Opportunities like these are quite rare.

REPORT: Coral Triangle Initiative Business Summit

2010-02-08

"Profit and environmental protection can co-exist"
- President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

The WWF Coral Triangle programme together with the Republic of the Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) hosted the Coral Triangle Initiative Business Summit on 19-20 January 2010 at the Makati Shangri la Hotel in Makati City, Philippines.

The summit was called to provide opportunities for business leaders to explore emerging green investment opportunities, to network and forge partnerships with other companies and industries that are dependent on the Coral Triangle's natural resources, and to examine ways to adopt environmentally-responsible business operations.

The 2-day Summit was attended by leaders from tuna and live reef fish businesses, airlines and resort owners, as well as government ministers and officials, and non-government organizations. The event resulted into agreements on how industries could contribute to the protection of the Coral Triangle and the 120 million livelihoods that depend on its marine resources.

Rugby Sevens Fundraiser

2010-01-20

On 15^th-16^th January, WWF in partnership with Ocean Soaps Fiji Ltd. held a rugby sevens tournament in Nadi's Prince Charles Park - the Bodyguard Great Sea Reef Sevens Tournament.

The tournament was a fundraising event to support the Qoliqlio Cokovata Management Committee (QCMC), to effectively manage the Great Sea Reef off the north coast of Vanua Levu.

Parts of the Great Sea Reef have been managed as tabu areas since 2004 and some will continue to be for five or even ten years. The Tabu fishing ban is enabling the reef's marine life to recover from overfishing; however, there has recently been a rise in illegal poaching.

The funds raised from the tournament will provide the people of Macuata with the training and equipment needed to enforce the ban and discourage future poaching.

A large number of teams provided the healthy number of paid spectators with two days of excellent rugby. The tournament was seen by all as a great success and with the support of our partners, Ocean Soaps, the tournament will be held again later on in 2010 hosted by Suva.

Coral Triangle Business Summit 2010: BROCHURE

2010-01-06

At the Coral Triangle Initiative Business Summit, a myriad of opportunities await sectors that rely on marine resources. Come and discover sustainable business solutions and explore financial opportunities for profitable "green" investments that help conserve this fragile, resource-rich region.

Copenhagen Oceans Day highlights need for business support in Coral Triangle

2009-12-15

Businesses in the Coral Triangle must support national strategies to protect underwater environments or risk losing the precious marine resources that underpin the region's economies, WWF said today at the close of Oceans Day at Copenhagen.

Oceans Day provided an opportunity for Parties and Observer States, as well as non-government organisations and the general public, to address the implications of the emerging Copenhagen agreement for oceans, coasts, and coastal communities around the globe.

It highlighted the direct link between climate change, the health of the oceans and human wellbeing, as well as the need for the private sector to support bold adaptation actions that will minimise climate change impacts on coastal communities and marine resources.

"Nowhere is the need for global action on climate change more obvious than in the Coral Triangle, where more than 100 million people depend on the health of the sea for their income and sustenance," said the head of WWF's Coral Triangle Programme Dr Lida Pet-Soede.

"This is a part of the world where we have strong political will to protect underwater environments and coastal communities but this can only bear fruit with the support of hundreds of seafood businesses and fishing operators, tourism companies, airlines, and other enterprises that rely the region's marine resources for their business."

The Coral Triangle is scientifically described as a region covering the marine areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste.

All six Coral Triangle governments committed to a plan of action at the World Ocean Conference to ensure the sustainability of their shared coastal and marine resources, and to take their concerns to the world stage at Copenhagen.

A report launched by WWF at the World Ocean Conference earlier this year found that in the Coral Triangle under the current climate change path there would be 50 per cent less protein available from the sea by 2050 and 80 per cent less by the end of the century.

Business leaders in the Coral Triangle will come together with Asia Pacific policy makers next month in Manila on January 19 and 20 to discuss the role of the private sector in protecting marine environments in the Coral Triangle.

The Coral Triangle Business Summit will be hosted by Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in collaboration with WWF and will be aimed at establishing new partnerships between the private sector, policy makers and organisations interested in sustainable business opportunities.

For more information:

Charlie Stevens
WWF Coral Triangle Media Office
+61 (0)424 649 689

Coral Triangle Live Reef Food Fish Trade Brochure

2009-11-20