News about environment work and issues in Tonga by the Department of Environment, including regional and world environment news relevant to Tonga
Nuku’alofa – June 1, 2020: 9.30pm (Enviro News): The National Environment Week 2020 kick started yesterday with a church service at the Church of Tonga in Pahu. A full week of activities has been planned by the Department of Environment to help promote the message for the week. This year’s theme is “PROTECT NATURE, RESPECT Read More …
London, UNITED KINGDOM – June 1, 2020: 9.10pm (Commonwealth Media): The Commonwealth Secretariat is joining forces with Vulcan Inc. to help member countries manage their ocean spaces via cutting-edge mapping technology. Commonwealth countries are responsible for more than a third of the world’s coastal ocean, and 45 percent of its coral reefs. The new tool will use satellite technology to create country-specific data and Read More …
Nuku’alofa – May 27, 2020: 4.45pm (Enviro News): Red algae have now been found to be affecting the growth of mangroves around Tongatapu. A team from the Department of Environment and MORDI Tonga have reported this following inspections carried out this week in areas around the main island. This included the mangrove plantations in Sopu, Read More …
Suva, FIJI – May 21, 2020 (FIJI TIMES): Fiji’s ocean resources generate about $2.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) worth of economic activity annually, according to the recently-released National Ocean Policy. The policy, prepared using data from a 2014 Marine Ecosystem Service Valuation report, said marine-related tourism contributed about $1.2 billion (US$531 million) to the national economy Read More …
Nuku’alofa – May 18, 2020: 8.15am (Enviro News): Two teams are reaching out to communities on Ha’apai and Vava’u this week with the draft Tonga Ocean Plan. The teams are part of the Tonga Ocean 7 working group, under the Marine Spatial Plan project, overseen by the Department of Environment, under the Ministry of MEIDECC. Read More …
Nuku’alofa – May 12, 2020: 11.35am (Enviro News): A Marine Survey team that conducted practical training on reefs close to the Nuku’alofa waterfront say early indications show that there might be over fishing in the area. Lead facilitator and Department of Environment’s Penikoni Aleamotua’a said the overgrowth of green algae indicates that there was a Read More …
Nuku’alofa – May 12, 2020: 10.15am (Enviro News): There is a need to address land issues affecting mangroves plantations around the Kingdom, to ensure that mangroves are protected. That is one of the recommendations given by the Terrestrial and Mangroves team that conducted surveys in line with efforts to list local mangroves under the Red Read More …
Nuku’alofa – May 12, 2020: 9am (Enviro News): Mothers at the Department of Environment were treated to a special meal and presented gifts for Mother’s Day at a special function held at the Nuku’alofa office on May 8. Director Environment Mrs Atelaite Lupe Matoto and all mothers working with her were special guests at the Read More …
Nuku’alofa – April 14, 2020: 11.45am (Enviro News): The Department of Environment office in Nuku’alofa is open for normal business again, following the lifting of some restrictions placed for the COVID-19 lockdown. Government lifted some restrictions on Saturday, announcing that government offices can be reopened, as well as schools. All members of the public in Read More …
Sydney, AUSTRALIA – April 7, 2020: 8pm (GREENPEACE): Coal-fired climate change has caused the Great Barrier Reef to bleach for the third time in five years, with the latest attack devastating already struggling corals from far North Queensland to the southern Reef. Head of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, Professor Terry Read More …