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CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIESThe inshore marine systems of the atoll lagoons and reef-flat moats (lagoons)are reef-rim have been fished for generations. In recent times, fishing pressure hasincreased such that some species have been seriously impacted, such as Black-lippedPearl Oyster on Swarrow and Manihiki, the Green Turtle on Palmerston, the giant clamon Aitutaki and the milkfish on Aitutaki. Trochus was first introduced on Aitutakiin 1957 and commercial harvesting commenced in 1980. Giant clams were recentlyintroduced to improve the economy of Aitutaki and for replenishing the naturalstocks. The Trochus Act of 1985 provides for the management of this resource.PEARL INDUSTRYThe exploitation of pearl oyster shell was a major activity of the NorthernGroup but declined in the latter part of the 1960’s due to declining stocks. Thefocus is now on the farming of pearl oyster for both cultured pearl and shell,particularly on Manihiki, Penryhn and Rakahanga where the lagoons are moresuitable for producing cultured black pearls. Manihiki, the pioneer of the blackpearl industry is home to the majority of operators (57 percent), followed byPenrhyn (36 percent) and Rakahanga (6 percent). The remaining 1 percent ofoperators resides on Rarotonga although their farms are on Manihiki.The value of pearl shell more than doubled in the period 1985–1990 to about$13 per kilogram with total value of the industry reaching more than $500 000in 1990 alone. Cultured pearl has proven to be a highly successful resourcedevelopment for the Northern Group that a lucrative and expanding industryhas since been established there. On Manihiki, there are more than 200 licensedpearl farms with about a 100 still active.FORESTRYThe coastal lowland and low volcanic inland forest ecosystems of the Southernislands are highly disturbed by man-made activities. This process of transformationbegan with the horticultural activities of the first Polynesian settlers whoarrived as early as about 2 400 years ago. The process accelerated after thearrival of the London Missionary Society missionaries in the 1820s, with theintroduction of new food plants and the growth of commercial horticulture.At present, the rugged limestone makatea of the raised islands and the steep200