Official handover of craft boat to the Leitre Fisher Group, Vanimo-Green District, West Sepik Province. Photo: FAO-STREIT
Papua New Guinea - boats
Fisher communities living along the northwest Papua New Guinea coast have been new motorised boats to improve their livelihoods and well-being.
The craft were provided by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and funded by a European Union aid programme focussing on the sustainable development of agri-food value chains, improving diets, enriching nutrition, and supporting food security in rural communities.
Under this work plan, eight boats with 40 HP outboard motors, along with fishing and safety gear, were recently handed over to coastal and island fishing groups in Vanimo-Green and Aitape-Lumi districts of West Sepik Province.
The FAO's fisheries officer, Mohhammed Zakir, says their programme is committed to facilitating access for fishing communities to markets and helping them improve transport safety and equipment.
Pacific - natural disasters
A ten-year programme aimed at strengthening the Pacific's ability to anticipate and respond to natural disasters is on the agenda for a Pacific Meteorological Council meeting in Fiji.
Director of Tonga Met Service Ofa Fa'anunu said Weather Ready Pacific, or WRP, is a game changer in the way the region is dealing with events such as cyclones, extreme weather and tsunamis.
He recommended the WRP be established as a programme to coordinate the wider implementation of people-centered, end-to-end, multi-hazard early warning systems for all Pacific island countries and territories.
WRP has a goal of $US167million for ten years, with Australian government providing initial funding support of $US19m.
Fiji - tribunal
Members of the tribunal to investigate allegations of misbehavior against the suspended Chief Justice of Fiji have been sworn in.
Fiji Live reports the President Wiliame Katonivere suspended Chief Justice Kamal Kumar with full pay on the advice of the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in late January.
This followed complaints being lodged against him.
Cook Islands - whale
Mangaia's Island mayor says it was an unusual sight to see a humpback whale calf washed up in the harbour.
Humpback whale's are a common sight in the Cook Islands at this time of year as they migrate from the Southern Ocean to mate and give birth.
Anthony Whyte said the calf turned up on Friday morning and was about two and a half meters long.
Whyte said the last time a whale turned up was about five years ago and it had been partially eaten by sharks.
He was unsure what caused this calf to die.
Pacific/Australia - disease
The Pacific Community organisation and the Australia Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry are joining forces to support Solomon Islands' emergency response to avian disease.
The Pacific Community, or SPC, says a virus that causes high death rates in young chickens was detected in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands after the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock received reports of unusual chicken deaths on farms.
SPC's Animal Health and Production Adviser Dr Sripad Sosale said the disease seriously threatens the poultry industry and people's livelihoods.
Dr Sosale said the vigilance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in their ongoing surveillance and the farmers has led to a quick response.
The SPC and the Australia Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry have held training sessions for local livestock and animal health officers in the Pacific.
