Figure 1: The Pacific <strong>Islands</strong> Ocean Region (<strong>SPREP</strong>, 2010).
1.0 InTROduCTIOn Pacific Island Countries and Territories <strong>of</strong> France, Great Britain, New Zealand and the United States <strong>of</strong> America that make up the Pacific <strong>Islands</strong> Ocean Region have stewardship responsibilities for a vast area <strong>of</strong> the earth’s surface covering at least 40 million square kilometres (Figure 1: The Pacific <strong>Islands</strong> Ocean Region (<strong>SPREP</strong>, 2010) 1 ). The uses <strong>of</strong> the islands, coasts, seas and ocean and their resources have expanded exponentially over time and today they provide commercial, cultural, recreational, economic, scientific, conservation and security benefits, as well as sustaining diverse habitats and species <strong>of</strong> local and global significance. There are enormous challenges confronting the Pacific <strong>Islands</strong> Ocean Region such as pollution, habitat destruction, the unsustainable use <strong>of</strong> its marine resources, natural and man induced hazards and their disaster risk impacts that make such benefits and natural assets increasingly tenuous and vulnerable. Figure 1: The Pacific <strong>Islands</strong> Ocean Region (<strong>SPREP</strong>, 2010) Notwithstanding these challenges, a recent study by the United Nations Environment Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (Corrigan, 2009) suggests that in comparison to other regions <strong>of</strong> the world “the Pacific is relatively healthy” and therefore opportunities still exist to be proactive and take actions that will ensure that the Pacific <strong>Islands</strong> Ocean Region continues to support the lives <strong>of</strong> its peoples as well as the wider global community. Its well-being and the sustainable use <strong>of</strong> its resources will guarantee that Pacific peoples can “live (the) free and worthwhile lives” that their Leaders visioned in their Pacific Plan1 <strong>of</strong> 2005, while making sure that their deeds and actions result in greater global good with lasting effect. Testament to the concern for their islands, coasts and ocean are the many commitments that Pacific Island countries have made at national, regional and international levels. They have ratified multilateral environmental agreements and developed companion regional policy instruments for the sea, biological diversity, disaster risk reduction, climate change and pollution. Their support <strong>of</strong> more encompassing frameworks for sustainable development such as the Johannesburg Programme <strong>of</strong> Action2 , Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation <strong>of</strong> the Programme <strong>of</strong> Action for the Sustainable Development <strong>of</strong> Small Island Developing States3 , the Pacific Plan as well as National Sustainable Development Strategy or Planning instruments at national level are further evidence and demonstration <strong>of</strong> this. For all <strong>of</strong> these policy instruments to achieve their desired outcomes in maintaining critical coastal and marine ecosystem, economic, social and cultural benefits more thoughtful and integrated approaches 1 The Pacific Plan and related documents – refer http://www.forumsec.org.fj/pages.cfm/about-us/the-pacific-plan/ 2 Johannesburg Programme <strong>of</strong> Action http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/WSSD_POI_PD/English/POIToc.htm 3 Mauritius Strategy, http://www.sidsnet.org/MIM.html Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape: a catalyst for implementation <strong>of</strong> ocean policy | 7
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