<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/30/the-ocean-is-everything-pacific-state-of-niue-declares-all-of-its-waters-protected>
"The Pacific island state of Niue has announced that it will protect 100% of
the ocean in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which spans 317,500 sq km
(122,000 sq miles), roughly the area of Vietnam.
The water that surrounds one of the world’s largest raised coral atolls is the
only place where the
katuali is found – a sea snake that lives in the
island’s honeycomb of underwater caves. Humpback whales migrate to Niue from
Antarctica to give birth, spinner dolphins swim near the coast and Niue boasts
the world’s highest density of grey reef sharks.
Yet the reefs of this isolated island in the Pacific Ocean, 370 miles (600km)
from its nearest neighbour Tonga, are under threat. Illegal fishing is a
serious issue in the Pacific Ocean and Niue is also experiencing the impact of
the climate crisis, with warmer sea temperatures leading to coral bleaching and
extreme weather damaging the environment and infrastructure.
“The sand from some of our coves has been washed away due to frequent high and
rough seas and our coral is still recovering after Cyclone Heta hit Niue in
2004,” said Niue’s premier, Dalton Tagelagi.
Niue, a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, announced in
2020 that it would protect 40% of its ocean. It follows the Cook Islands in
committing itself to 100% protection. The new policy, which came into force in
April, has led to the creation of the Niue Nukutuluea multiple-use marine park.
It is split into zones, including the pristine Beveridge Reef, an uninhabited
atoll 120 miles from the island where fishing is banned and only scientific
studies are allowed; a three-mile zone for traditional canoe fishing, sport
fishing and scuba diving; a general ocean zone for foreign commercial fishing;
and a conservation zone where vessels can pass through but not stop.
Those caught breaching Niue’s marine park laws and fishing illegally can have
their vessel and catch seized, and receive a fine of up to NZ$500,000
(£255,000). If the government believes the crime should face a harsher penalty,
it can prosecute using the 2013 Maritime Zones Act or the 1996 Territorial Sea
and Economic Zones Act. “We can bring much larger penalties to bear, depending
on the nature of the offence,” said Brendon Pasisi, Niue’s director for
agriculture, forestry and fisheries."
Via Future Crunch Jun 20, 2022:
<
https://futurecrunch.com/human-rights-in-spain-solar-in-vietnam-and-monarch-butterflies-in-north-america/>
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
