Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8.10.1 South Pacifi c Regional Environment Programme
An Invasive Species Programme was initiated by the SPREP. One of the object-
ives of this programme was to develop a strategy for invasive species for use by all
countries and relevant agencies in the region. The aim of the Regional Strategy is
to promote the efforts of Pacifi c Island countries in protecting and maintaining the
rich and fragile natural heritage of the Pacifi c Islands from the impacts of invasive
species through cooperative efforts (Sherley 2000).
The Bern Convention (1979) provides regional frameworks for implementing the
Convention on Biological Diversity. A European Strategy on IAS was developed
and recently adopted (December 2003) to promote a comprehensive and cross-
sectoral approach to all aspects of IAS, with a focus on trans-boundary cooperation
within Europe (Genovesi and Shine 2004). It includes:
•
Building awareness and support;
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Collecting, managing, and sharing information;
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Strengthening national policy, legal and institutional frameworks;
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Regional cooperation and responsibility;
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Prevention;
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Early detection and rapid response;
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Management of impacts;
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Restoration of native biodiversity.
In the European Union, the cross-cutting issue of IAS is addressed at the commu-
nity level through a range of legal instruments that apply to prevention of unwanted
introductions of organisms harmful to plants or plant products, animal and fi sh
diseases, and species that may threaten the wild fauna and fl ora (Demeter 2006).
As an important milestone in the currently ongoing review of implementation of
the European Commission (EC) Biodiversity Strategy, a broad consultative process
culminating in a conference in Malahide, Ireland, reconfi rmed Community-level
actions on IAS as a priority issue. The Directorate General Environment in the EC
has started up an inter-service consultative group to plan action on IAS. A study
has been contracted which will provide important advice for the development of
an EU policy on the issue (Demeter 2006).
The Cooperative Initiative on Invasive Alien Species on Islands (Cooperative
Islands Initiative or CII) was launched in 2002 following calls from countries with
