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Updates on the work being done by PRISMSS is published in the PRISMSS Newsletter.

This Battler Series publication builds understanding about negative impacts of weeds in Pacific island contexts and supports the prioritisation of established, widespread weeds for management. This guide is based on training conducted by PRISMSS NENS Technical Lead Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (MWLR), New Zealand. Tiffany Straza prepared the guide text; Lynley Hayes, Chris McGrannachan, and Quentin Paynter provided review. This publication is part of a collection of Battler guides on managing weeds in the Pacific region. For an introduction to biocontrol, read the Battler publication Use natural enemies to manage widespread weeds in the Pacific. For weeds present at low abundance, see Manage low-incidence priority weeds to conserve Pacific biodiversity.

The Pacific Island nations of Niue and Tonga are leading global efforts to expand the management of invasive species at a large-landscape scale and increase the resilience of their ecosystems and communities to the impacts of climate change. Niue’s Environment Minister, Hon. Mona Ainuu, recently made an ambitious pledge for the country to control four priority invasive species by 2030, including Taro Vine, rats, feral pigs, and the coral eating Drupella snail. This work will help to enhance Niue’s premium ecotourism brand and directly support the provision of green jobs. Tonga has also pledged to expand the management of priority invasive species at a large-landscape scale following the successful eradication of rats from Late Island, the largest eradication ever undertaken in the Pacific Islands region. Studies have shown that, once rats are removed, the nutrients from returning seabird populations restore the climate resilience of coral reefs and increase the productivity of fish stocks by up to 50%. Tonga’s plans to scale-up the management of priority invasive species will help expand its national park system, provide refugia for 95% of the country’s biodiversity, and directly increase the climate resilience of its ecosystems and communities.

The Pacific Island nations of Niue and Tonga are leading global efforts to expand the management of invasive species at a large-landscape scale and increase the resilience of their ecosystems and communities to the impacts of climate change. Niue’s Environment Minister, Hon. Mona Ainuu, recently made an ambitious pledge for the country to control four priority invasive species by 2030, including Taro Vine, rats, feral pigs, and the coral eating Drupella snail. This work will help to enhance Niue’s premium ecotourism brand and directly support the provision of green jobs. Tonga has also pledged to expand the management of priority invasive species at a large-landscape scale following the successful eradication of rats from Late Island, the largest eradication ever undertaken in the Pacific Islands region. Studies have shown that, once rats are removed, the nutrients from returning seabird populations restore the climate resilience of coral reefs and increase the productivity of fish stocks by up to 50%. Tonga’s plans to scale-up the management of priority invasive species will help expand its national park system, provide refugia for 95% of the country’s biodiversity, and directly increase the climate resilience of its ecosystems and communities.

Previous efforts to prevent, eradicate, and control invasive species in Tuvalu demonstrate that collaboration across all levels of government, Kaupule, landowners, and other interested parties is critical to minimising the spread and impact of invasive species. This NISSAP will provide us with guidance on how to address the problems that invasive species pose to our environment. The NISSAP is a plan for an urgent and effective response to reduce the threat of invasive species. It will help us enact preventive measures for early detection and rapid response at our marine ports and airports, specifically targeting inbound commercial shipments and the importation of exotic animals and plants.

The purpose of the Guiding Framework is to support anyone or any institution planning and implementing invasive species projects or programmes on islands in the Pacific. To this end, this document lists the essential components of a comprehensive and effective invasive species management programme. It has been compiled in consultation with experts and Pacific Island countries and territories, to support them in developing their invasive species work and to guide regional and international agencies. The Guiding Framework has been endorsed by all countries and territories in the Pacific islands region and the metropolitan countries with jurisdictional responsibilities in the Pacific via the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and Pacific Community (SPC) Meetings.

The guidance in this document is for invasive species management practitioners and local authorities in Pacific countries who wish to improve biosecurity for their islands. Preventing invasive species from spreading between islands is everyone’s responsibility and is to everyone’s benefit. This document provides guidance on biosecurity measures for anyone involved in inter-island travel, trade, and transport.

Sustainable financing is about gaining access to funding in a way that can continue permanently for all the work that needs to be done and, typically, that does not rely on grants. Those involved in conservation or environmental management know how important funding is and how much effort is involved in getting the funding needed for projects and activities. The task of getting money is usually the role of the director or manager of an organisation. In the case of government departments, this responsibility typically lies with the finance manager.

The launch of the Pacific Marine Biosecurity Toolkit on 1st March 2022 also introduced the new Pacific battler series called "Manage marine biosecurity in the Pacific", a guide that provides an introduction on how to manage invasive marine species in the Pacific.

Much research effort has been invested in understanding ecological impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) across ecosystems and taxonomic groups, but empirical studies about economic effects lack synthesis. Using a comprehensive global database, we determine patterns and trends in economic costs of aquatic IAS by examining: (i) the distribution of these costs across taxa, geographic regions, and cost types; (ii) the temporal dynamics of global costs; and (iii) knowledge gaps, especially compared to terrestrial IAS. Based on the costs recorded from the existing literature, the global cost of aquatic IAS conservatively summed to US$345 billion, with the majority attributed to invertebrates (62%), followed by vertebrates (28%), then plants (6%). The largest costs were reported in North America (48%) and Asia (13%) and were principally a result of resource damages (74%); only 6% of recorded costs were from management. The magnitude and number of reported costs were highest in the United States of America and for semi-aquatic taxa. Many countries and known aquatic alien species had no reported costs, especially in Africa and Asia. Accordingly, a network analysis revealed limited connectivity among countries, indicating disparate cost reporting. Aquatic IAS costs have increased in recent decades by several orders of magnitude, reaching at least US$23 billion in 2020. Costs are likely considerably underrepresented compared to terrestrial IAS; only 5% of reported costs were from aquatic species, despite 26% of known invaders being aquatic. Additionally, only 1% of aquatic invasion costs were from marine species. Costs of aquatic IAS are thus substantial, but likely underreported. Costs have increased over time and are expected to continue rising with future invasions. We urge increased and improved cost reporting by managers, practitioners and researchers to reduce knowledge gaps. Few costs are proactive investments; increased management spending is urgently needed to prevent and limit current and future aquatic IAS damages.