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EcoCARE Pacific Trust - Environment Management

Biodiversity, Biosecurity and Conservation

The sustainable management of limited resources is fundamental to the successful development of island nations. Proper and appropriate management of these resources will eventually determine the speed at which national development will occur. Tonga is blessed with numerous natural resources which if managed appropriately, will help advance this nations desire to obtain first world nationhood. EcoCARE is negotiating with appropriate academic experts to develop postgraduate projects that will enable PI nationals to gain the understanding and expertise to participate in the long term management of these resources.

Fisheries

Tonga’s fisheries (inshore, offshore and deep water), like all Pacific Island nations has enormous potential to offer PI nations massive returns, but it is imperative that these fisheries are managed correctly as they also are capable of complete collapse. They are not an inexhaustible supply.

Mining

Mineral resources are also an abundant resource which is primarily found offshore within PI national EEZ. A well documented problem with mining (terrestrial or oceanic) is the potential for mining operations to have devastating environmental impacts. In the case of the Pacific Island nations there is great potential that accessing one resource (minerals) will negatively impact on another resource (fisheries). Both are vital to the development of PI nations so appropriate and intelligent management and monitoring of these resources is essential.

Biodiversity

Diabetes and heart disease are prevalent throughout the PI nations. In some remote locations a lack of understanding of this disease, diagnosis and early intervention results in patient limbs being amputated. A part of this problem can be attributed to the diet of local people and there lack of access to what would have been the traditional diet. Coconut crabs, terrestrial megapode birds and a significant marine diet is almost unheard of in Tonga. Invasive species (cats, rats, dogs, pigs and so on) have eradicated the Coconut crabs and megapode birds and local fisheries have been impacted by mangrove deforestation and fishing methods that include blast fishing and the use of toxins. EcoCARE is significantly involved in the development of mangrove reforestation projects and the development of species restoration projects to reintroduce endangered endemic species.

Global Warming

Rising sea levels and increasing incidence of storms is a serious problem for many people living by the sea. PI people are completely surrounded by oceans that are becoming increasingly violent and continue to encroach on low lying areas. The destruction of reefs through blast fishing and the mining of reefs for the aquarium market combined with the deforestation of mangroves leaves islands open to the devastating affects of cyclones and tidal waves. Islands will be lost and people will be displaced. Who is responsible? Where will those refugees go? Who is going to pay and can these affects of global warming be mitigated?

Invasive Species

Invasive mosquitoes and mosquito borne diseases.

Mosquito Brochure
Mosquito Brochure - Tongan
Distribution and habitats of mosquito larvae in the Kingdom of Tonga