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Disposal of solid waste is a world-wide problem. The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Pacific increasingly share in this problem. As the economies of the island States develop and move toward a cash based, consumer goods society, the volumes and complexity of waste products increase. However, unlike the mainly organic waste of the past, much of the modem waste stream may take many years to break down. Some components of the waste may be harmful. Inadequately managed waste disposal has the potential to affect the health of the people, damage the environment of the islands and be a barrier to economic development, Further discussion on the extent of the problem in the region may be found in SPREP (1998): "Solid Waste Issues in Pacific ACP Countries" by Dr Suresh Raj.

The PD defines CA's as "generally large (relative to the island(s) on or around which they are established), diverse geographical units which contain important features for the conservation of the biological diversity of the region or country. Most will encompass a variety of land and resource uses. Conservation areas will be managed according to agreed criteria for the conservation of biological resources and sustainable community development which is ecologically compatible."

Protected areas are areas of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection of biological diversity, natural and cultural resources, which are managed by government or nongovernmental agencies. Protected areas include, but are not limited to: National Parks, National Reserves, Game Reserves, Forest Reserves, Forest Parks, Marine Reserves, Marine Sanctuaries, and Nature Reserves.

Protected areas are areas of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection of biological diversity, natural and cultural resources, which are managed by government or nongovernmental agencies. Protected areas include, but are not limited to: National Parks, National Reserves, Game Reserves, Forest Reserves, Forest Parks, Marine Reserves, Marine Sanctuaries, and Nature Reserves.

Protected areas are areas of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection of biological diversity, natural and cultural resources, which are managed by government or nongovernmental agencies. Protected areas include, but are not limited to: National Parks, National Reserves, Game Reserves, Forest Reserves, Forest Parks, Marine Reserves, Marine Sanctuaries, and Nature Reserves.

Protected areas are areas of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection of biological diversity, natural and cultural resources, which are managed by government or nongovernmental agencies. Protected areas include, but are not limited to: National Parks, National Reserves, Game Reserves, Forest Reserves, Forest Parks, Marine Reserves, Marine Sanctuaries, and Nature Reserves.

Protected areas are areas of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection of biological diversity, natural and cultural resources, which are managed by government or nongovernmental agencies. Protected areas include, but are not limited to: National Parks, National Reserves, Game Reserves, Forest Reserves, Forest Parks, Marine Reserves, Marine Sanctuaries, and Nature Reserves.

The planet is currently undergoing what scientists are calling the sixth mass extinction. This tragic loss of biodiversity is largely caused by human activity through, amongst others, land use change, climate change, pollution, overexploitation and invasive alien species. States have sought to take action on this issue through implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), its protocols and targets, as well as other multilateral environmental agreements. Many have also undertaken a number of conservation efforts, including the establishment of parks, reserves, and protected areas and the mandating of environmental impact assessments.

Wildlife watching is simply defined as the organized or incidental viewing of animals in their natural environment. In marine realm, wildlife-watching activities can be conducted by boat and usually target large marine animals such as marine mammals (including cetaceansm pinnipeds and sirenians) sharks and rays, marine turtles and/or large aggregation of animals.