PILN 2007 Annual Meeting French Polynesia 3 – 7 September 2007

The PILN 2007 annual meeting was held at the Richard B. Gump South Pacific Research Station, Moorea, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. A total of 65 participants from 13 PILN teams participated in the 5-day workshop: 5 of the initial founding teams (American Samoa, Guam, Palau, Pohnpei and Samoa) and 8 new teams (Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Kiribati, Kosrae, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia and Yap).

Key results of the meeting:

• Priority actions and specific capacity building activities were identified in four main technical areas: marine invasive species, bio-security, weed management and rat management.
• In addition, shorter discussions were held on the Pacific Ant Prevention Programme, monitoring, evaluation & data management, and invasive birds, specifically myna birds. Priorities for action were identified, together with opportunities for skill-sharing and capacity building;
• Input was given to the revision of the Regional Invasive Species Strategy in 5 specific areas: Format of strategy, Action plan, Information sharing, Awareness, and Capacity.

The PILN annual meeting was run together with two workshops:

• Social Marketing workshop, 10 - 12 September, run by Rare for Conservation, 19 people from 8 countries participated.
• French Polynesia invasive species strategic action planning workshop, 11 – 12 September, 18 people from 13 agencies participated.

The meeting is generously supported by the Government of French Polynesia Ministry of Tourism and Environment, US National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, US Department of State, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, NZAid Pacific Island Countries Participation Fund and Fonds Pacifique.

Meeting documents:

• PILN 2007 meeting report (English) pdf 606KB
• PILN 2007 meeting report (French) pdf 527ko

Demonstrating Little Fire Ant control during a field trip. Photo: Joel Miles

Sharing knowledge and experience on rat control to protect endangered species. Photo: Vilikesa Masibalavu

Mme. Maina Sage, Minister for Tourism and Environment opened the meeting. Photo: Jill Key