SOPAC-EU EDF 8 & 9 News Update: Issue 1, May 2006

Please click here to download the pdf version of this News Update EU EDF News Update, March 2006



About the Project!
The goal of the Project is to address vulnerability reduction in the Pacific ACP States through interventions on three primary focal areas: hazard mitigation and risk assessment; aggregates for construction; and water resources supply and sanitation. Initially targeting eight Pacific ACP States under EU-EDF8 funding, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, the six “new� ACP Pacific States Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue and Palau were included under the EU-EDF 9 envelope.

REVIEW OF SAVAI’I VOLCANIC HAZARD MAP

Both main islands of Samoa, Savai’i and Upolu are potentially active volcanoes. The most recent eruptions in historic times happened on Savai’i in the period 1905-1911, 1902 and 1760. Though detailed volcanic studies and dating of volcanic events are very limited, there is evidence for repeated volcanic activity on both islands since the time of human habitation. Within the framework of the SOPAC/EU Project, Reducing Vulnerability of Pacific ACP States, the volcanic risks for both islands were reviewed during a mission in the period 4-12 February 06. The findings were presented in a report to the Samoan Disaster Advisory Committee on 1 May 06. The report, targeting disaster managers, examined the potential eruption scenarios and provided a detailed response timeline for each scenario, listing potential impacts and required emergency response activities at each step of the event. Maps showing the relative potential for new eruption centres on Upolu and Savai’i formed an integral part of the report.

Dr Shane Cronin (Massey University) explains features of the 1905-11 Matavanu lava field

To improve understanding and management of the volcanic risks in Samoa, suggestions for achievable future work are listed and prioritised. These recommendations include geological/volcanological baseline studies (e.g. dating/ detailed analyses of past events, rock chemistry, volcano structure), installation of early warning and monitoring network (e.g. permanent GPS, seismometers) and disaster preparedness and volcanic crisis response planning.

AGGREGATES IN KIRIBATI

From 17th to 30th March 2006, Netatua Pelesikoti, Sustainable Development Adviser and Naomi Atauea, EU/SOPAC Research Fellow conducted a mission in Kiribati to address the following areas:

• enabling policies for sustainable development of aggregates; and
• development of a monitoring programme for ongoing assessment of the impacts of aggregate extraction on the coastal environment.

Based on the findings of previous studies and understanding of the current situation, two approaches were used on this mission to better assess the situation:

1. Household Aggregates Survey - A questionnaire-based household survey was conducted in South Tarawa. This was a rapid method for collecting information and data from the community to better understand a range of factors: how much aggregates are collected/mined; reasons for collecting (own use or income); where from; amount of income obtained from aggregate sales; and interaction with the licensing process, The questionnaire was developed, translated into vernacular and trialled locally prior to survey.
2. Consultations with key government and private sector agencies focusing on coastal/land management issues, aggregate management, policies and legislations, licensing process; and key players for aggregates management and monitoring programmes and capacity including data management.

Aggregates for Sale in Bonriki	South Tarawa With Villages Surveyed

The information collected during the mission will now be collated and analysed in order to explore policy options for a more sustainable approach to aggregates development and management and to propose a monitoring programme to be considered by key stakeholders in Kiribati. This study will also contribute to the current Government of Kiribati initiative on establishing an offshore dredging facility.

MAPSERVER WORKSHOP IN KIRIBATI

The Kiribati MapServer Workshop was held at the Ministry of Fisheries Boardroom from the 1st to the 7th March 2006. Wayne Reiher, Information Technology Staff of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development conducted the Workshop. Participants represented Lands Department, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Public Works (Water Unit), Project “Strengthening Decentralized Governance in Kiribati�, Ministry of Finance (Statistics Unit), Ministry of Internal and Social Affairs, and Ms Titeem Auatabu, SOPAC/EU Country Intern for Kiribati. The participants were taught how to work with the Mapserver; creating and editing pages on the MapServer and uploading images and maps. The workshop helped participants learn more about the MapServer to help them update the MapServer and make it a more comprehensive informative system.

A MapServer/GeoCMS is a Geospatial Content Management System. It mixes maps with easily editable web pages. MapServers make it possible for the distribution of easy to manage data, and can be made accessible to all users. MapServer establishment and ongoing development and management in the Pacific ACP states is a key activity of the SOPAC/EU Project.

TRAINING COURSE ON TABULAR AND SPATIAL DATABASE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Wolf Forstreuter, Remote Sensing & GIS Specialist together with Elizabeth Whippy, Project Intern-GIS/RS&ICT conducted training from 18 April to 5 May, at the PNG Power compound in Yonki. The participants were from both government and the private sector, including utilities. The purpose of the training was to teach participants how to manage spatial information and tabular data sets and link them for the purpose of producing thematic maps. The training concentrated on three software packages: Microsoft access and Access Basic; Basic MapInfo?; and Customising MapInfo? using MapBasic. Overall, the training was a success with most participants motivated to build up their own GIS.

Elizabeth assisting participant

SWATH MAPPING OF THE YASAWA ISLANDS

In 2005, SOPAC together with the Fiji Hydrographical Service, used its Shallow Water Mapping System to carry out an extensive hydrographic survey in the vicinity of the Yasawa Islands to produce a comprehensive map of the shallow seabed topography around the islands. This system is highly effective in collecting data in shallow water areas but is not effective in mapping seabed deeper than 300 metres. Consequently there were large gaps in the information set for the deeper areas around the Yasawa Islands.

In April 2006 the Fiji Islands Maritime Safety Administration requested that the deeper areas around the Yasawas be surveyed by SOPAC, mainly for navigational safety, but also for geophysical interpretation and possibly also to contribute to maritime boundary delimitation.

On the 26th of April 2006, a SOPAC team of four under the leadership of Jens Kruger, undertook further surveys in the area using the Reson SeaBat? 8160 multibeam echo sounder (Deep Water Mapping System), on board the MV Summer Spirit. The team spent four days surveying the deep water (300 m to > 2,000 m) areas of the seafloor, completing the Yasawas survey for the most part. Figure showing the coverage of the bathymetric survey around the Yasawa Islands after April 2006. Coverage marked with red is from the 2005 survey. After picking up fuel and supplies at Denarau Island, Nadi, the vessel departed for another SOPAC-EU-supported survey of approximately 5 months around Papua New Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. The SOPAC team joined the vessel at Lae. The Yasawa survey also provided a valuable opportunity for the survey team to test all the equipment before leaving on the longer survey cruise to make sure everything was “ship-shape� for the voyage. An update on the survey cruise will be provided in the next newsletter.

NEW ARRIVALS!

Aarti Naidu

Aarti, Project Assistant to the SOPAC/EU EDF 8/9 Project transferred from the core program of Ocean and Islands Programme within the SOPAC Secretariat. She joined SOPAC in 2002 and has completed her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at the University of the South Pacific. Aarti’s role as Project Assistant is to support the Deputy Director who is the SOPAC/EU Project Co-ordinator and assist other members of the Project team in the development, planning and implementation of the country work plans designed and defined in association with the peoples and governments of SOPAC/ACP member countries.

Asishika Sharma

Ashishika joined the EU-EDF8/9 Project, as Technical Officer in March. Prior to working here in SOPAC, she was employed at the Mineral Resources Department as Scientific Officer in the Offshore Geology Section. Ashishika graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a bachelor’s degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science, and recently submitted her MSc. thesis in Marine Geology. Her position as a Technical Officer concentrates on bathymetric survey of Pacific ACP countries, carrying out surveys and post processing data in the office from previous and recently completed surveys.

Salesh Kumar

Salesh joined SOPAC in April as a second Technical Officer. His previous employment was with the Mineral Resources Department as Mapping Geologist. Salesh graduated from University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Earth Science and Chemistry. Salesh will work closely with Ashishika participating in bathymetric surveys in the Pacific ACP countries and post processing data collected from these surveys. Ashishika and Salesh are located within the Ocean and Islands Programme (OIP) as this component of the EDF now comes under the direct management of the recently appointed Manager OIP, Mary Power.

SOPAC/EU EDF9 COUNTRY INTERNS

A SOPAC/EU EDF Country Intern’s basic role is to facilitate the work of specialists from the SOPAC/EU EDF Project through his/her role as a Resource Information Officer. The Intern will be responsible for co-ordinating the Project’s activities in their respective countries, organise and implement community workshops, prepare information documentation for use in schools and communities, provide project information to stakeholders and manage the in-country MapServer installed by the Project.

The two newest country interns were appointed for Republic of Marshall Islands and Cook Islands, respectively:

1. Mr Rito Akilang was appointed as the EU EDF9 Country Intern for Republic of Marshall Islands in April 2006. He is based at the Environmental Protection Authority, Marshall Islands.

2. Cook Islands Country Intern, Ms Sylvia Tapuke joined the Project in May 2006. Ms Tapuke is based at the Aid Management Department, Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Cook Islands.

Aggregate Supply in the Atolls, Funafuti – A Case Study

Arthur Webb—SOPAC EDF Coastal Processes & Aggregates Adviser

SOPAC has had a long involvement in the aggregate supply issue in Tuvalu, including erosion studies, aggregate resource surveys and a pilot lagoon basin dredging project. Despite this, Funafuti still has a major problem with aggregate supply and has not been able to undertake important works such as filling borrow pits, covering land fill sites, filling low-lying areas or even supplying enough aggregate for everyday building and maintenance needs.

Funafuti like other developing atoll urban centres in the Pacific region faces some unique challenges due to their fragile environments and limited land resource base. Of increasing importance among these is aggregate supply (sand, gravel, rock and general purpose fill). Modern Funafuti is a fast growing urban centre and demand for aggregates has greatly increased. The Funafuti community has also been struggling with the legacy of the “borrow pits�, huge pits dug in 1943 by the US military as part of their efforts during the WWII Pacific Campaign. The borrow pits account for approximately 13% of the land area of Fongafale the capital and remain as useless brackish ponds full of refuse.



This huge pit north of Fongafale looks like a river as it stretches into the distance. In fact, this is one of the borrow pits dug in 1943 by the US Military & shows how large areas of these narrow islets were destroyed leaving only a thin strip of vegetation (on average 8 m) on the ocean (left) and lagoon (right) shorelines.

Filling the borrow pits has long been a goal of the Funafuti community but with over half a million cubic metres of fill required this seems an impossible task since at present there is insufficient aggregate for even their modest construction requirements. Presently, aggregates are taken directly from the beach environment and from new small borrow pits dotted over the island. Obviously, nobody in Funafuti wants more borrow pits and beach mining is seriously impacting Funafuti’s shorelines, contributing to erosion problems and weakening the important protective beach structure.

Beach mining in Funafuti and other atoll urban centres (e.g. Majuro and Tarawa) is a major concern and the SOPAC EU Reducing Vulnerability Project is working hard in these locations to develop alternative aggregate supplies and thereby protect the beaches and provide a sustainable supply of aggregate for development needs.



Beach mining on Tarawa – this activity is one of the main threats to shoreline integrity on the atoll capitals of the region. In view of uncertainty regarding sea level and climate change, the protection of soft shorelines from all disturbances is more important than ever.

Lagoon basin dredging is seen as the most viable, long- term answer to aggregate supply issues in these environments. This is because it avoids the expense and quarantine risks associated with importing aggregate material. SOPAC has already shown that lagoon sourced aggregates are of adequate quality for most local purposes and exist in sufficient quantities to supply local demand for the foreseeable future. Additionally, a locally- run aggregate extraction company will provide an important contribution to the local economy by reducing imports and generating local employment opportunities.



Despite the seemingly obvious advantages of a well- managed, local aggregate dredging company, the SOPAC EU Project found that the Funafuti community was unwilling to pursue this option due to environmental concerns. Investigation of these concerns found that the community was worried that the past pilot dredging project undertaken in the early 1990’s had increased erosion on Fongafale and other islets of Funafuti. Ironically, the community stopped dredging and returned to beach mining and borrow pit mining to supply their aggregate needs.



Collected and bagged beach gravel (left) and a recent borrow pit dug to below sea level on Fongafale (right).

SOPAC has long recognised the disproportionately large impact that beach mining has in the urban atoll centres of the region. As such, the EU Project undertook a broad study of coastal processes and coastline change of Funafuti and reviewed existing data and documents regarding the possible environmental impacts of the pilot dredging project. This work conclusively showed that there was no significant environmental or shoreline impacts associated with the past dredging and confirmed that a correctly managed lagoon aggregate dredging company would have negligible effects on the environment.

This work included multi-temporal satellite and historical aerial photograph image comparisons as well as field assessments (EU-SOPAC Project Report 54). Additionally, the SOPAC EU Project also produced high-resolution bathymetry (seafloor mapping) of the outer atoll drop-off and inner lagoon environments. This in turn allowed the Project to develop a computer-based Hydrodynamic Model of Funafuti Lagoon and inter-tidal passages. Such models allow resource managers to better understand water flow in the lagoon and they can be used to address a variety of marine issues such as water current speeds and direction, relative water levels generated by tidal flows, water quality and pollution studies, ecological studies and wave energy and sediment transport.



The digital comparison of recent satellite (colour image) and historical aerial photographs (black & white image) allowed shoreline and land form changes to be tracked accurately over time.

In this case the model was used to gain an understanding of what the possible impacts of sediment plumes associated with dredging may be in Funafuti Lagoon. By its nature, dredging lifts and mixes sediment with the surrounding lagoon waters and this can negatively impact corals, seagrasses and other sensitive benthic organisms. The SOPAC EU Project modelled plume impacts and found that if managed correctly, no significant plume impacts are likely to occur from aggregate dredging in Funafuti.



Funafuti’s 3D bathymetry (seafloor map) with the main circulation patterns (arrows) which dominate the lagoon water movement during neap tide conditions (similar bathymetric surveys and maps have been developed for all 9 islands in the group). The new seafloor maps and the Funafuti hydrodynamic model remain as sophisticated baseline resource management tools and can be used to address a variety of additional marine and coastal issues.

The data generated from these studies was compiled into a simple and graphical presentation, which was delivered to multiple stakeholder groups on Funafuti. The results of this work showed the Funafuti community that any impacts of lagoon aggregate dredging would be small and certainly far less than the impacts associated with current beach mining practices. It was also explained that the importation of aggregate from overseas was expensive and carried quarantine risks and also, that due to the high cost of imported aggregate this product may not successfully replace beach mining, since many in the community would not be able to afford imported material.



An example of village-level delivery of technical information. Large graphic presentations using computers, overhead projectors and small generators have been hugely successful in both Tuvalu and Kiribati – attracting large audiences and wide interest.

The SOPAC EU Project now intends to work with the Tuvaluan Government to secure funding to develop a Funafuti Aggregates Company. SOPAC is also well placed to assist in the development of best practice dredging guidelines for the company. The initiation of a lagoon aggregates company will allow the phasing out of beach mining and supply all the domestic aggregate needs. Also, if the community wishes the task of filling the borrow pits may finally begin.

EU EDF 8 & 9 COUNTRY INTERNS

FIJI Ms Vilisi Tokalauvere vtokalauvere@mrd.gov.fj KIRIBATI Ms Titeem Auatabu titeema@mfmrd.gov.ki SAMOA Ms Siosinamele Lui slui@meteorology.gov.ws SOLOMON ISLANDS Mr Donn Tolia donn@mines.gov.sb Mr David Michael Sivaonao david@mines.gov.sb Mr Isaac Lekelau isaac@mines.gov.sb Mr Thomas Toba

VANUATU Ms Catherine Malosu catherine_malosu@yahoo.com.au PNG Mr Arnold Lakamanga arnold_lakamanga@mineral.gov.pg TUVALU Ms Loia M Tausi Loia_tausi@yahoo.com MARSHALL ISLANDS Mr Rito Akilang rakilang@yahoo.com COOK ISLANDS Ms Sylvia Tapuke sylviat-sopac@project-aid.gov.ck

EU EDF MapServer Placements

FIJI
Location: Mineral Resources Department http://map.mrd.gov.fj/
Person In Charge: Ms Vilisi Tokalauvere vtokalauvere@mrd.gov.fj

TONGA
Location: Ministry of Lands, Surveys and Natural Resources http://www.lands.gov.to
Person In Charge: Mr Taniela Kula taniela@lands.gov.to

VANUATU
Location: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources http://map.vanuatu.gov.vu/
Person In Charge: Mr Mathew Temar mtemar@gmail.com

PNG
Location: Daltron FacilityDepartment? of Mining Servers, Port Moresby http://map.mineral.gov.pg/
Person In Charge: Mr Arnold Lakamanga arnold_lakamanga@mineral.gov.pg

SAMOA
LOcation: Samoa Meteorology Division,Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment & Meteorology http://map.meteorogy.gov.ws/
Person In Charge: Ms Siosinamele Lui slui@meteorology.gov.ws

TUVALU
Location: Land and Survey DepartmentMinistry? of Natural Resources http://map.tuvalu.tv/
Person In Charge: Ms Loia M Tausi Loia_tausi@yahoo.com

KIRIBATI
Location: Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development http://map.gov.ki/
Person In Charge: Mr Wayne Reiher wayner@mfmrd.gov.ki

NAURU
Location: Nauru Lands and Survey Department http://www.lands.gov.nr/
Person In Charge: Mr Porthos Bop porthbop@cenpac.net.nr




Contact Person: Aarti Naidu
Email: arti@sopac.org