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Surface ozone profiles were studied at Fiji (18.1oS, 178.2oE), Samoa (14.3oS, 170.6oW), Tahiti (18.0oS, 149.0oW), and San Cristobal, Galapagos (0.9oS, 89.6oW) from 1997-2003. Surface ozone levels at these Pacific sites showed a wintertime maximum and a summertime minimum with the lowest mixing ratios occurring at Tahiti and Galapagos, while the highest mixing ratios occurred at Fiji. The seasonal trends at each site were found to be dependent on the varying photochemical sink strength and the changing transport regimes in each season. It was established that the reduced photochemical sink strength in winter was one of the major reasons for the observed increase in surface ozone levels at each site in that season. The presence of the South Pacific Convergence Zone particularly for the Western Pacific (Fiji, Samoa and Tahiti) is the other factor contributing to the observed seasonality and variability in surface ozone levels. The changing frequency of transport from the southern mid-latitude (from high altitudes) is the only transport regime at the boundary layer having the most significant influence on the surface ozone levels at these Pacific sites.

Small Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are among the most vulnerable countries in the world to the anticipated detrimental health effects of climate change. The assessment of health vulnerabilities and planning adaptation strategies to minimize the impacts of climate change on health tests traditional health governance structures and depends on strong linkages and partnerships between actors involved in these vital processes.

The Pacific Islands region is currently experiencing an intensification of interest in culture of an enabler, rather than an inhibitor of development.

The Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Environment of Fiji launched the Home Composting Subsidy Pro-gram and the Clean School Program in April, 2015 for im-plementation by the thirteen Municipal Councils responsible for waste management around the various divisions in the country.

A new methodology is being developed in response to increased spending on activities and interventions relating to climate change, both from global funds and bilateral support, and from domestic resources.

Wanting to make a positive difference in the world is one thing, knowing the best way to make that difference is another, yet for the Kingdom of Tonga this ‘best way’ seems to have been found and is being put to use.

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The use of rodenticides to control or eradicate invasive rats (Rattus spp.) for conservation purposes has rapidly grown in the past decades, especially on islands. The non-target consequences and the fate of toxicant residue from such rodent eradication operations have not been well explored. In a cooperative effort, we monitored the application of a rodenticide, ‘Brodifacoum 25W: Conservation’, during an attempt to eradicate Rattus rattus from Palmyra Atoll. In 2011, Brodifacoum 25W: Conservation was aerially broadcasted twice over the entire atoll (2.5 km2) at rates of 80 kg/ha and 75 kg/ha and a supplemental hand broadcast application (71.6 kg/ha) occurred three weeks after the second aerial application over a 10 ha area. We documented brodifacoum residues in soil, water, and biota, and documented mortality of non-target organisms. Some bait (14–19% of the target application rate) entered the marine environment to distances 7 m from the shore. After the application commenced, carcasses of 84 animals representing 15 species of birds, fish, reptiles and invertebrates were collected opportunistically as potential non-target mortalities. In addition, fish, reptiles, and invertebrates were systematically collected for residue analysis. Brodifacoum residues were detected in most (84.3%) of the animal samples analyzed. Although detection of residues in samples was anticipated, the extent and concentrations in many parts of the food web were greater than expected. Risk assessments should carefully consider application rates and entire food webs prior to operations using rodenticides.

Invasive vertebrates are a leading cause of the extinction on islands and rats (Rattus spp.) are one of the most damaging to island ecosystems. Methods to eradicate rates from islands are well established and there have been over 580 successful eradications to date. Increasingly, rat eradications are being implemented on tropical islands, a reflection of the need to protect the threatened biodiversity in the tropics. Yet rat eradications on tropical islands fail more frequently than those in temperate climates. In an effort to identify the main reasons for the lower success rate on tropical islands and possible solutions, a workshop was convened with the 34 experts in rat eradication, tropical rodent and island ecology and toxicology. The workshop focused on projects using aerial broadcast of brodifacoum, a 2nd generation anticoagulant, because this approach had provided the highest success rate for eradicating rodents from islands. The workshop participants reviewed previously identified challenges to successful rat eradications on tropical islands including increased insect and crab densities resulting in competition for bait, year round or unpredictable timing of breeding rats and increased or unpredictable availability of alternative, natural foods. They also identified a number of new, likely reasons for the lower success rate on tropical islands and provided recommendations for how to address these risks in the planning and implementation of rat eradications. While the success rate of aerial broadcast rat eradications in tropical environments is quite high at 89%, it is hoped that by following the recommended best practices provided in this paper, future success rates will be closer to the 96.5% demonstrated for aerial broadcast rat eradication on temperate islands.

Petitioner Defenders of Wildlife (“Defenders”) is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members, supporters, and activists, Defenders is a leading advocate for the protection of threatened and endangered species. Defenders’ 2013-2023 Strategic Plan identifies sharks and other elasmobranchs as one of several categories of key species whose conservation is a priority for our organization’s work