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The purpose of the Nauru BIORAP was to improve the state of knowledge of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, to provide a scientific basis for the conservation and management of nationally, regionally and globally important ecosystems and species. A particular focus was to identify areas of conservation value and to investigate opportunities for establishing marine and terrestrial protected areas. A fundamental principle is that decision-making should rest with resource owners and communities. The BIORAP provided opportunities for community members and Government staff to participate and receive training from the expert team.

The restoration of the Islands of Nuutele and Nuulua is a priority of the Government of Samoa and the communities of Aleipata District. Planning is well advanced on a key element of this, the eradication of Pacific Rats (Rattus exulans) by aerial spreading of toxic baits in mid-2006. The Friendly Ground Dove has been identified as a non-target species that may be at risk of taking the baits and one for which the Nuutele and Nuulua populations are significant. Several approaches for safeguarding these have been discussed and this expedition was designed to test the feasibility of the preferred approach, namely the capture and holding of birds in a safe situation on Nuutele during the aerial operation and their release once the baits are non-toxic.

This review of Nine's current environmental concerns was undertaken through consultations with government departments, workshops with civil society conducted by the Environment Unit and the Fisheries Division, and a literature review. It was produced for a twofold purpose: the International Waters Programme, which funded the work, and preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. For the latter, there was also some assessment of progress over the past ten years since the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.