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Marine biodiversity assessments in the Pacific Islands of Oceania

Marine biodiversity assessments in the Pacific Islands of Oceania. 2012 World Conservation Congress 7th September 2012 Jeju, Republic of Korea. IUCN Oceania Region Australia, New Zealand and the 22 countries and territories of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia: 30% of the Pacific Ocean.

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Marine biodiversity assessments in the Pacific Islands of Oceania

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  1. Marine biodiversity assessments in the Pacific Islands of Oceania 2012 World Conservation Congress 7th September 2012Jeju, Republic of Korea

  2. IUCN Oceania RegionAustralia, New Zealand and the 22 countries and territories of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia: 30% of the Pacific Ocean

  3. Using Red List Assessments to highlight regional conservation priorities1. Overview – main issues and challenges2. Current assessments 3. Identification and prioritization of conservation needs 4. How assessments can contribute to these5. Gaps, future assessments and the way forward

  4. Pacific Island Snapshots Big ocean Many small, isolated island countries Small but increasing human populations High economic and cultural dependency on natural resources (for livelihoods, subsistence, economies, trade) Vulnerability to human and natural threats: cyclones, habitat degradation, over-exploitation, invasive species introductions and climate change Challenges Poorand lacking scientific knowledgeLimited survey and conservation workLack of resources, money, capacity for data collection

  5. Red List assessments The IUCN Red List is one way of collecting and monitoring information on marine species. ~Approximately 10% of known species have been assessed – further research is needed ~Laws and policies exist to protect species at the national, regional and international level, but enforcement and implementation varies Current assessments 1821 marine species found in the Pacific Islands have been assessed according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria...seems a lot, but only ~10% of known species! 17 complete groups

  6. Current status of marine species 17%, or 1 in 5, of all assessed species in the Pacific are threatened (CR, EN, VU) Another 16% (one third) are in the Near Threatened Category The remaining 68% are LC or DD. e.g. many pelagic and deep water species are DD, indicating a lack of knowledge due to difficulties studying them. To understand conservation priorities in the region, further assessments are necessary.

  7. Conservation needs in the Pacific Islands The recentinaugural Pacific Islands Species Forum urged immediate action to increase knowledge and understanding of species in the Pacific and their conservation status and threats, and called for the provision of substantial support to assist Pacific Island Countries and Territories in achieving Aichi Target 12. Specifically related to species research, there was a call to: ~Consolidate existing data into accessible databases ~Commit to prioritization of species for further research and inclusion in the Red List, focussing on Data Deficient species ~Identify experts to participate in IUCN’s SSC Specialist Groups to assist with regional coordination of species work ~Increase regional capacity related to taxonomic and research skills. ~Develop and improve regional and national policies to protect against over-exploitation and to manage and protect threatened species.

  8. How can Red List assessments help to meet these priorities? Species information can be used to: ~Set research priorities e.g. based on DD species ~Identify areas with high concentrations of threatened species, and recommend the establishment of MPAs ~develop species-specific targets and recovery plans to protect threatened or endemic species. e.g. with IUCN Specialist Groups ~Influence policy at national, regional and international levels. e.g. changing long-line fishing practices to reduce mortality of turtles or sharks e.g. inputting into Conventions...

  9. Gaps, future assessments and next steps…. Future Red Listing efforts:Coral reef fishes Invertebrates Regional listings Moving forward: Feeding Red List data into the Aichi targets, NBSAPs and regional policies Enlist high level (Ministerial) support for species conservation Development of a Pacific Islands Strategy for Species Conservation Continue collaborative efforts to raise the profile of all species in the Pacific, by sharing knowledge and submitting data to the IUCN Red List

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