South Pacific

Global Distribution of Two Fungal Pathogens Threatening Endangered Sea Turtles

Nascent fungal infections are currently considered as one of the main threats for biodiversity and ecosystem health, and have driven several animal species into critical risk of extinction. Sea turtles are one of the most endangered groups of animals and only seven species have survived to date. Here, we described two pathogenic species, i.e., Fusarium falciforme and Fusarium keratoplasticum, that are globally distributed in major turtle nesting areas for six sea turtle species and that are implicated in low hatch success.

13 September 2018

Genetic diversity and phylogeography of hawksbill turtle in the Persian Gulf

Genetic diversity and phylogeography of Hawksbill sea turtle was studied by using sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA (D-loop and tRNA pro region). 45 dead embryos were collected from the Qeshm (25 samples) and Kish Islands (20 samples) in the Persian Gulf. Analysis of sequence diversity showed over 890 bp of the mtDNA D-loop and tRNA pro region revealed 5 polymorphism sites and 7 haplotypes. Two new haplotypes were submitted on NCBI gene bank as Iran3 with GU997696 accession number and Iran7 with JN627023 accession number.

13 September 2018

Study: Conservation Priorities for Shark and Ray Species included and proposed for inclusion in Annex 1 to the CMS Sharks MOU

The Sharks MOU has defined general objectives for the conservation and management of species and populations listed in Annex 1 of the MOU, which are further detailed in a global Conservation Plan for migratory Sharks (Annex 3 to the MOU).
18 October 2015

MObI – Marine Mammal Survey App for SmartPhones Now Available!

“MObI – Marine Mammal Observers of Oceania by Internet” is a new smartphone application now available to help users distinguish marine mammals at any time in New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

24 July 2014

Supporting Dugong (and Marine Turtle) Conservation in the Pacific Islands

Initiating activities that directly address the problems and challenges for dugong and turtle conservation in the Pacific Islands, and identifying regional priorities and pilot projects to further dugong and marine turtle conservation in dugong Pacific Island Range States (New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu).

16 July 2018

CMS Dugong MOU Standardised Catch and Bycatch Questionnaire

The Dugong MOU Secretariat provided funding to enable a partnership with the Marine Research Foundation and a team of global experts to develop and implement a Questionnaire which could be implemented at low cost across large geographical areas, and that generates standardised data sets. The Questionnaire was designed to collect data on dugongs, as well as marine turtles and cetaceans, and has resulted in a large data set of dugong numbers and distribution across a significant portion of the dugong’s geographic range.

10 March 2021

Pacific Year of the Dugong

2011 was declared the Pacific Year of the Dugong. With a regional theme “Respect and Protect”, the campaign aimed at increasing protection of dugongs and their habitats by raising awareness, improving knowledge and fostering partnerships for conservation of dugongs and their habitats. Led by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UN Environment Programme/CMS), the campaign aimed to initiate sustainable and long-term dugong protection by fostering community participation in environmental stewardship by improving their economic livelihoods.

16 July 2018

Dugong, Seagrass and Coastal Communities Initiative

The Dugong, Seagrass and Coastal Communities Initiative encompasses complementary activities to support the conservation of dugongs and their seagrass habitats throughout the over 40 Range States.

14 March 2014