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Category Archives: Islands

Sabah islands set to become marine research centre

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The Star/Asia News Network Tuesday, Jun 11, 2013

KOTA KINABALU - Three islands in Sabah - Billean, Lankayan and Tegaipil - are set to become part of a centre for international research into tropical coral reef ecosystems.

The centre, which encompasses the islands under the Sugud Islands Conservation Area, off Sabah's east coast, will also see efforts being undertaken to restock commercially important and threatened marine species in the state.

The Sugud Islands Marine Research Centre (SIMRC), covering 46,317ha in shallow reef area, was set up following a memorandum of understanding signed between the Sabah Wildlife Department, Reef Guardian Sdn Bhd and Cardiff University on Sunday.

State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, who witnessed the signing, said the centre would enhance research and conservation of the marine ecosystem and scientifically assess the success of the conservation area.

"This will definitely increase the interest of local and international scientists for coral reef ecosystem research in the region as well as boost eco-tourism in the east coast of Sabah," he said.

Cardiff University research associate Dr Benoit Goossens said the centre would provide a world-class education and research facility with the necessary structure and resources to study advanced marine ecosystem science, particularly in the field of small tropical islands and coral reef ecology.

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Sabah islands set to become marine research centre

Treasure Islands

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Features Desk

China Daily

Publication Date : 12-06-2013

A small, enchanting isle makes the perfect getaway for Dragon Boat Festival, we recommend four of the best

There's something appealing about the idea of escaping the grind of daily routine by cutting and running to a desert island. The thought of sun, sand and sea appeals to the Jack Sparrow in all of us.

Fortunately, you don't have to go far to find a place where your imagination can bring you a distant horizon and you can savour the finest fruits from the sea. For instance, Weizhou Island in the northern part of Beibu Gulf is hailed one of China's most beautiful islands. It not only features fabulous sea views, but also boasts diverse Hakka customs. While Nan'ao Island in Guangdong province is the home to hundreds of tropical and sub-tropical plants. Both Qiandao Lake and Zhoushan guarantee people fresh and tasty sea food.

Guangxi

As China's largest, youngest volcanic island, Weizhou Island to the southeast of Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is a showroom for nature's craftsmanship.

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Treasure Islands

SPC and Cook Islands Commence In-Country Consultations

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SPC and Cook Islands Commence In-Country Consultations For Second Joint Country Strategy (JCS)

11 June 2013, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Noumea, New Caledonia-

Today the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Government of Cook Islands commenced a week of in-country consultations to determine the interventions SPC will undertake in the country over the next three years and form the basis of what will be the second Cook Islands SPC joint country strategy.

The Cook Islands Secretariat of the Pacific Community Joint Country Strategy 20132015 is a partnership document mapping out SPCs planned engagement with Cook Islands across the technical sectors in which it works, which include public health, fisheries, aquaculture, marine ecosystems, statistics for development, applied geosciences, disaster risk management, water resources, agriculture, forestry, land resources, health, transport, energy, and human development (youth, culture and gender). The planned strategies in the JCS will be closely aligned to the sectoral strategies articulated in the strategic plans of the respective line ministries to support the goals and objectives espoused in the national sustainable development plan, the Cook Islands Te Kaveinga Nui 20112015.

Kicking off this week-long process is the first series of sectoral consultations with the ministries of marine resources and agriculture, and with energy sector stakeholders. In these consultations, which will continue over the week, Cook Islands and SPC will agree on key areas of support, with an emphasis on achieving development outcomes for the people of Cook Islands over the three-year period.

SPC Director-General Dr Jimmie Rodgers said, SPC is anticipating very much the outcomes from this JCS because Cook Islands is only the second SPC member country to commence with the second generation joint country strategy development. He added, SPC has set clear guidelines to ensure that the discussions over the course of the week will be based on the development priorities articulated by the Government of Cook Islands and that the mutually agreed content of the JCS will be firmly based on the Cook Islands Te Kaveinga Nui and SPCs capacities and priorities as encapsulated in the new SPC Corporate Strategic Plan 20132015.

The Acting Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Ms Myra Patai, echoed Dr Rodgers sentiments, adding, As SPCs official contact point and on behalf of the Government, we welcome the SPC mission to the Cook Islands and will endeavour to support them in this JCS process, a process the Cook Islands has supported through SPCs governing body, the CRGA. That said, we especially look forward to receipt of the agreed, second Cook Islands JCS once finalised. Ms Patai further stated, For the Cook Islands, sectoral participation is essential so that our line ministries take advantage of the valuable assistance and resources made available by SPC, and work together with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and the Office of the Prime Ministers Central Planning and Policy Office so as to coordinate efforts in order to achieve our desired national targets, supported by a robust monitoring and evaluation framework.

Dr Rodgers concluded, SPCs independent external review acknowledged that from its inception, SPC has worked to ensure its programmes are appropriately tailored to address key regional constraints, and that its efforts on developing JCSs have reinforced its relevance in the region by ensuring that SPC services to members are aligned with specific country needs.

The JCS mission will conclude on Tuesday 18 June with a closing plenary, at which SPC and Cook Islands sector counterparts will present mutually agreed programme interventions and areas for potential assistance.

ENDS

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SPC and Cook Islands Commence In-Country Consultations

Super Hostile #09: Sunburn Islands – Episode 1 – What have I gotten myself into! – Video

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Super Hostile #09: Sunburn Islands - Episode 1 - What have I gotten myself into!
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By: 12345littlepeople

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Super Hostile #09: Sunburn Islands - Episode 1 - What have I gotten myself into! - Video

gotcha! neighborhood watch wed 3 april 2013 George Godley Tenerife Canary islands Spain 00384 – Video

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By: georgegodley

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gotcha! neighborhood watch wed 3 april 2013 George Godley Tenerife Canary islands Spain 00384 - Video


  1. Islands