SPC Geoscience Division

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Improving Drinking Water on Kiritimati Island

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The Water and Sanitation Programme has commenced implementation of the “Improving Drinking Water Supply for Kiritimati Island” project. The objective of the project is to improve livelihoods and secure safe and sustainable drinking water with the focus on infrastructural upgrade of the reticulated supply to the two main communities of London and Tennessee. The project is funded by the European Union with a budget of €4.8 million to be implemented over a four year period.

The Contribution Agreement between the EU and SPC was signed in January 2014 with the Project Coordinator, George Beck, now based in Kiritimati Island. The project will be working closely with the Ministry of Line and Phoenix Islands Development (MLPD), Government of Kiribati, including other key stakeholders to improve the supply of drinking water to the two main communities on Kiritimati Island.

The first task will involve rehabilitating the existing reticulated infrastructure to improve the flow of water and collect data so as to better understand the status of the groundwater lenses. The project will also focus on building capacity at MLPD and undertake awareness in promoting good management and conservation practices.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 February 2014 09:52 Read more...
 

Prospect Issue 3 January 2014 - Deep Sea Minerals Project Newsletter

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The third issue of The Prospect is pleased to bring you news and developments from the SPC-EU Pacific Deep Sea Minerals Project and its participating member countries.

In This Issue:

  • Nadi Workshop Focuses on Environmental Management of Deep Sea Minerals
  • Launch of the SPC-UNEP/GRID-Arendal Pacific Marine Minerals Assessment Report
  • Q&A with Cindy Van Dover – Deep Sea Biologist
  • Deep Sea Minerals feature in Pacific Plan Review Report
  • GSD Annual Meeting calls for Forum Leaders to Address Deep Sea Minerals as High Regional Priority Cook Islands Enters New International Seabed Minerals Arrangement in Cooperation with GSR of Belgium
  • Winner of the Cook Islands Youth Debate Meets EU Ambassador
  • New documentary focuses on environmental impacts of deep sea mining
  • Staff Profile of the project's new Environment Advisor, Alison Swaddli

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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 March 2015 13:30
 

Out Of Darkness - A Deep Sea Minerals Project Documentary

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"Out of Darkness" documentary focuses on environmental impacts of deep sea mining.

Following the success of its first documentary "Under Pressure", the SPC-EU Deep Sea Minerals project has now produced a second 25-minute film that focuses on the potential environmental issues related to the extraction of deep sea mineral resources.

This new film, titled “Out of Darkness”, includes some spectacular underwater footage and interviews with leading scientists such as Dr Malcolm Clarke from NIWA, Dr Jim Hein from the US Geological Survey and Dr Ray Binns from CSIRO.

The film can be viewed on the Deep Sea Minerals Project website and free copies of the DVD can be obtained by emailing: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Last Updated on Sunday, 16 February 2014 12:36
 

GSD Newsletter July - December 2013

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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 March 2015 13:30
 

Mapping Pacific Maritime Boundaries

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This year Kiribati, one of the least developed countries in the world, finalised maritime boundaries with the United States of America.

The successful outcome, in September, was the result of the work that the Pacific Island country, along with 12 others, undertook at the Maritime Boundaries and Ocean Governance working sessions at the University of Sydney.

The latest session is currently underway at the University and ends on 6 December.

"Technical and legal personnel from thesePacific Islandcountries have been coming to the University of Sydney for the last six years to secure rights to their marine spaces," said Professor Elaine Baker from the University's School of Geosciences, which hosts the meetings.

"Global interest in marine resources, including fisheries and seabed minerals, and the threat of climate change and sea level rise, has spurred Pacific Island countries to settle their maritime boundaries."

The Cook Islands, for example, has valuable deposits of seabed minerals, many of which are essential to new technologies such as renewable energy and communications equipment. In order for the Cook Islands to capitalise on these resources, they require sound governance frameworks and jurisdictional boundaries.

Last Updated on Friday, 13 December 2013 12:42 Read more...
 


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Newsflash

Much has been said about rising sea levels and predicted impacts on low lying Pacific Island communities.As Pacific islanders we need to be more informed about what directly affects us and our livelihoods. The population of the Pacific islands is estimated to be over 8.6 million people, most of which are coastal dwelling and are therefore dependant on the ocean and its resources. So it is vital that we understand our ocean.

The Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), hosts the South Pacific Sea Level and Climate Monitoring Project alongside other initiatives aimed at improving our scientific knowledge of ocean and island ecosystems for the sustainable management of natural resources.