 General situation
The legal framework is currently in an analytical phase and the training part has notably progressed. Due to the quantity (5 to 10 higher than forecasted) of active marine substances found during the survey in the Solomon Islands led to cancelling the survey planned in the Cook Islands and surveying only the Fiji. The budget saved will be relocated from collecting to upgrading and institutional strengthening project.
Project 2C-1: Upgrading island country legislation for the sharing of benefits from development of active marine substances
The reports from two preliminary visits to Solomon Islands and Fiji during the first semester of 2006 by french experts from the University of Nantes:
The documents collected during those visits were analysed to study the feasibility of upgrading the legislation. Another visit to the Vanuatu is planned for 2007 where the legislation department of USP is located.
Project 2C-2: Improvement of knowledge of benthic reef invertebrate and algae taxonomy
The taxonomic study of organisms collected in the Solomons, particularly sponges and algae, was conducted as well as a phycology collection of reference (1057 of seagrass). Four new species, including 2 genuses have been described; in addition 800 photographs of organisms in situ and their respective biotopes have been geo-referenced.
The collection of sponges is now in Brisbane Museum and accounts for 194 studied samples, 85 samples (44%) have been identified to the species level (species known or common), 74 species (38%) identified as taxonomic unit known within the region (Operational Taxonomic Unit) and 35 (18%) are at least new for the region and possibly for Science.
Project 2C-3: Technological aspect of the identification of active marine substances
Laboratory tests on active marine substances showed unexpected high quantity. The third survey of collection planned to the Solomon Islands for 2008 got cancelled due to the need to conduct exhaustive analytical work. There is a strong need to focus on valuing active marine substances because other substances could be identified after surveying Fiji. The results are kept confidential at the moment.
Project 2C-4: Institutional strengthening activity through the training of Pacific Island resource persons
CRISP finances support the work of a post-doctorate. Two students, from Fiji and Solomon Islands respectively, benefited from funding to start their PhD. Two other students are awaited for 2007. |