Pacific News In Brief For 21 February

Saturday, 22 February 2025, 5:23 pm
Article: RNZ

Samoa - whooping cough

The latest update on Samoa's whooping cough outbreak reports four new cases for the week of 3 February.

This was half the number of new cases the previous week.

The Health Ministry said from September 2024 to 12am 10 February this year, 396 suspected and confirmed cases have been detected.

All but one case has been on the island of Upolu.

Of the total cases, 203 are under five years of age, with 129 cases aged under one year.

Pacific - tuna

Funding of US$156.8 million has been secured to support 14 Pacific Island countries to protect tuna - and its associated economic and social benefits - from the impacts of climate change.

The money comes from a Green Climate Fund grant and co-finance, and the programme supports the Pacific nations in adapting to the impacts of ocean warming on the tuna stocks.

Research by SPC and Conservation International showed an increasing risk that ocean warming will push tuna stocks away from the islands' respective maritime zones and into international waters.

The research suggests that climate-driven tuna redistribution could reduce the average catch from Pacific Island waters by 10-30% by 2050, amounting to a collective loss of US$40-140 million annually.

Papua New Guinea - cocoa

Papua New Guinea earned more than a billion kina in cocoa export returns for the first time, in 2024.

NBC reported the Cocoa Board's chief executive, Jessie Anjen, saying cocoa exports hit K1.2 billion - equivalent to about US$300 million.

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This is up from the average return over the years of 400 million kina, or US$99 million.

Anjen said the surge in prices on the world market has translated into high returns for local farmers.

He has urged farmers to maintain the high quality of their cocoa beans and not to compromise their standards.

Samoa - Manawanui

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) says additional work is to be carried out on the sunken HMNZS Manawanui to clear equipment and debris.

Commodore Andrew Brown said the salvors will be removing equipment, weapons, ammunition and debris from the ship.

He said the NZDF is also initiating and informing a wreck assessment, which includes independent expert studies of the vessel, reef and marine environment.

Commodore Brown said this assessment will inform the options for the next steps for Manawanui to allow the New Zealand and Samoan Governments to consult on.

Solomon Islands - investigation

Solomon Islands leader of opposition Matthew Wale has welcomed reports that a police investigation into the Covid-19 Economic Stimulus Package referrals has started.

The package was developed to boost Solomon Islands covid-affected economy.

Last October, a report from the auditor-general raised several issues around the package payments, including control weaknesses and lack of documentation.

Wale has been critical of the handling of the programme.

Fiji - climate

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says other countries are unaware of the sacrifices made by Pacific nations in the fight against climate change.

Rabuka said this was a takeaway from his attendance at the 61st Munich Security Conference.

He said the Pacific is working diligently to achieve its emission reduction goals.

"Perhaps the rest of the world is still not aware of how much sacrifice the people in the Pacific, and the Pacific Island leaders, are making, when the whole of the world is watching us - making sure that we abide by our commitments to reduce our carbon emission by certain degrees every year or every five years."

This was the first time Fiji was invited to the security conference.

RNZ

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