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South Pacific, pollution due to sedimentation has been identified as a major and potential problem (Phong ol al, 1988; Kinsey, 1988: Tsuchiya et al. 1989). Suspended matter can have an extremely detrimental cffcct on coastal ccosystems (Holthus, 1991). particularly coral reefs, mangroves and marine nursery areas.

This is a region-wide activity covering all the island territories of the region except Australia and New Zealand. Since most of the pollutants found in the South Pacific are land-derived, this will provide the data necessary for determining what pollutants are likely to be found in any given locality. Atmospheric transport of pollutants may be important in certain parts of the world, but recent studies have shown that the South Pacific atmosphere (apart from certain industrial areas) is the cleanest so far studied (Riley et al., 1989). Negotiations are nearing completion with IMO to undertake a complementary inventory of ship-based pollutant sources for the region.

This report presents the results of studies made on five Pacific lagoons located at Suva, Fiji; Vila, Vanuatu; Tarawa, Kiribati; Tongatapu, Tonga; and Marovo, Western Province, Solomon Islands. Studies were made on water quality by physical, chemical and microbiological analyses. Analyses of shellfish and sediments were also completed for some sites.