Cook Islands National Invasive Species Strategy And Action Plan 2019 - 2025.

The National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP) aims to facilitate and guide the protection of the Cook Islands' biodiversity, ecosystems and the livelihoods from the impacts of invasive species. The timeframe of the policy is 5 years covering the period from 2019 to 2025. The NISSAP lays down actions to conserve biodiversity, wildlife habitat, recreation resources, and crop production, while protecting and enhancing human health and wellbeing, by cooperation and coordination by all to carry out effective prevention, control and management of invasive species.
Public awareness will be raised on the impacts of invasive species present in the Cook Islands, and those that are a potential threat to the country’s biodiversity, economy, livelihoods, food security and health. The Biodiversity Committee shall be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the NISSAP. The Biodiversity Steering Committee will act as a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure that the NISSAP progresses to the common goal and actions, and that these are achieved in a timely manner. Adequate staffing in the institutitons will be ensured to manage invasive species and manage border control. Training will be provided to biosecurity officers on IAS management and prevention as well as to farmers on appropriate use of pesticide. Regional cooperation will be strengthened to achieve effective and timely information exchange. The legal and policy frameworks will be developed to underpin the effective management of invasive species.
Surveys will be conducted to identify full range of priority invasive species present on all islands and monitor their spread. Risk assessment and data management systems will be developed to assess risk and prioritize invasive species for management. Research will be conducted for updating knowledge for priority invasive species, including species biology and impacts, and developing effective management techniques. Mechanisms will be established to prevent the spread of invasive species across international borders and between the Pa Enua and main islands, quickly detect and respond to their introduction. International border control and inter-island biosecurity procedures will be strengthened, and early detection and rapid response systems and surveillance programmes will be established. Pest Control Certification will be developed for vessels to the Pa Enua and mechanisms will be developed to ensure ships meet the biosecurity requirements and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) procedure. The compliance and enforcement work programmes and manual on EIA processes will be updated to capture the movement of new species introduced to the Cook Islands. The impacts of priority established invasive species will be eliminated or reduced by eradicating or controlling the target species. Best methods will be determined and implemented to facilitate effective restoration of native biodiversity or recovery of other values.