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This island nation contains many marine eco-systems, from globally significant coral reefs to mangroves, seagrass areas, seamounts and deep-sea trenches supporting at least 769 fish species, including sharks and rays, as well as whales, dolphins and sea turtles.

The Pacific POPs Release Reduction Project, funded through the Global Environment Facility – Pacific Alliance for Sustainability (GEF-PAS), aims to reduce Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Pacific region through the improved management of solid and hazardous waste. The project is co-funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD). It is executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). POPs are toxic chemicals that can travel long distances through air and water, and accumulate in the fatty tissues of humans and other animals. They do not degrade quickly over time, and, as a consequence, potentially expose people to serious health issues including cancer, birth defects and immune system impairments. For more information, please visit www.sprep.org/stopthepops

The earth's crust and atmosphere form the biosphere, which is capable of supporting life. Biosphere reserves are there to protect the environment and the organisms living in it in certain areas. This is achieved by safeguarding biodiversity and developing sustainable forms of using land and natural resources, to the mutual benefit of humans and nature.