Niue’s National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP) 2013-2020.

This Strategy and Action Plan is a road-map to target the threat invasive species has on the environment. Guiding principles of the Strategy are (i) precautionary principle to stop a predictable invasive species establishing or spreading; (ii) preventing the arrival of introduced species is more effective and cheaper than trying to manage them when after they arrive through controls at the borders; (iii) eradication is more effective and cheaper in the long run than permanent control of an invasive species; (iv) ongoing control, particularly biological control, on species that cannot feasibly be eradicated. The Department of Environment is the lead agency for the implementation and review of the NISSAP, while the Plant Protection and Quarantine Division is the main partner, responsible for border control and management of agricultural pests.
The overall goal of this nation-wide sectoral document is to protect the rich and fragile natural heritage of Niue and the livelihoods of Niueans from the impacts of invasive species through a co-operative effort. To achieve the goal the Strategy moves on three main directions as follows (i) strong foundations, including (a) support from Government, village communities, and funders, (b) capacity from the institutions, individuals and regional networks, and (c) legislative framework; (ii) problem definition, prioritization and decision-making on how to allocate resources based on the best possible information on the distribution, numbers and likely impacts of these species; and (iii) management action starting from prevention, through eradication or control of those already present, up to restoration work needed on sites where they have been removed.
The National Invasive Species Coordinator will review work plan achievements annually in close liaison with the Plant Protection and Quarantine and report progress to National Steering Committee.
To make agriculture, fisheries and forestry more productive and sustainable, main actions directed to control invasive species are (i) review information obtained from surveys of marine invasive species in ports and harbors in the region to identify species that might be most likely to reach Niue. Review pathways through which marine invasive species would be likely to reach Niue and the species that could be carried on these pathways; (ii) continue to monitor crown-of-thorns starfish and control if number increases to the point that important biodiversity or harvested species are threatened; (iii) engage expert support to carry out a survey around the Niue port; (iv) evaluate the need to re-plant areas in which weed control occurs and undertake as appropriate; and (v) Assess feasibility of eradication or control to prevent invasion of key forest areas.
In order to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems the Strategy proposes to increase public awareness on invasive species through media, workshops, and school presentations including hold bio-security workshops for village Councils.
As for the Governance, the institutions are called to manage invasive species effectively at different levels (i) developing appropriate legislation, policies, protocols and procedures: (ii) providing infrastructure, technical support, information management, networks and exchanges; (iii) implementing monitoring systems to document the status and/or impact of invasive species on native biodiversity as well as to follow-up the implementation of this NISSAP.