ISSG Regional Office for the Pacific

The ISSG Regional Office for the Pacific (ROP) serves as the Pacific node for ISSG activities. Activities of the Regional Office include a mix of projects that address ISSG's global programme of work and those that focus on the Pacific region.

The Regional Office and IUCN Oceania are developing a synergistic mechanism for the delivery of Pacific services addressing regional invasive species issues.

This synergy will provide the basis for the integrated delivery of an invasive species program for the Pacific that falls within the ISSG mandate and program of work as well as the IUCN-ORO program of work. Overlap between the two programs will be minimized and rather a coordinated and strategic approach will be adopted.

The ISSG ROP will act as the IUCN Oceania focal point for invasive species and represent IUCN Oceania at relevant invasive species meetings. Proposals will be submitted with IUCN Oceania to implement agreed activities that contribute to the program/work plan of IUCN Oceania and help ISSG achieve its goals for the Pacific region- to mainstream and raise awareness of invasive species issues; to facilitate links and networking between practitioners, communities and experts; and to provide reliable and current invasive species data and information to decision makers and practitioners that can be used for analysis and act as decision support tools.

Pacific Invasives Partnership

ISSG is a partner in the Pacific Invasives Partnership (PIP) a combined partnership formed after the merger of the Pacific Invasives Initiative (PII) and Pacific Invasives Learning Network (PILN) partnership with the Invasive Species Working Group of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation. PIP now acts as the single coordinating body for invasive species action in the Pacific. It will provide continued guidance and support to PII and PILN, whose programmes remain pillars of the group, as well as to other invasive species programmes in the region.

Staff of the Regional Office are based at the Tamaki Campus of the University of Auckland, in New Zealand.

Key Contact

Shyama Pagad
Manager, Species Information Services, IUCN SSC ISSG
University of Auckland (New Zealand)
School of Biological Sciences
Centre for Biosecurity and Biodiversity
S.Pagad@auckland.ac.nz

Meet our Research Assistants currently involved in project work:

Sarah Hoffmann (Profile compilation)	Sarah has a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology. Her interests lie in botany, ecology and teaching and she is currently a tutor in plant science at the University of Auckland. She has worked as a research assistant with the ISSG since 2004.
Young has completed a Bachelors degree in Biology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Biosecurity from the University of Auckland. He is currently studying figs Ficus spp. in the North Island, New Zealand for his Masters Degree thesis (Biosecurity).	Young Kim Hun (Thematic datasets)
Asher Jones (Profile compilation)	Asher is currently studying towards a Masters in Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland looking at the ecology of native Saphobius dung beetles. Dung beetles are extremely important in many natural ecosystems due to their roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling. Her research will look at feeding preferences, reproductive biology and ecological roles of a group of beetles that is virtually unstudied in New Zealand.
Adam recently graduated with a Science degree in Geography from the University of Auckland. He completed papers in marine science, enivronmental science, anthropology, geology and biological science.	Adam Lau (Research: species information)
Sidharth Pagad (Data entry for the GISD, website editing, and posters)	Sidharth is completing his Bachelors degree in Arts with a double major in Anthropology and Psychology

What’s new in the Pacific?

Analysis of Pacific islands species listed on the 2008 Red List
Analysis of Pacific islands species listed on the 2008 Red List. The Analysis has focussed on species in 24 Pacific island countries and territories. more>>

Guidelines for invasive species management in the Pacific: a Pacific strategy for managing pests, weeds and other invasive species

This document lists the essential components of a comprehensive and effective invasive species management programme. It has been compiled in consultation with Pacific island countries and territories, to support them in developing their invasive species work, and to guide regional and international agencies in providing assistance to them. more>>

PIAkey (Pacific Invasive Ant key) is an electronic guide designed to assist users to identify invasive ant species commonly encountered in the Pacific Island region. The guide covers four subfamilies, 20 genera and 44 species. more>>

Related links

IUCN Oceania

Pacific Invasives Initiative (PII)

Pacific Invasive Species Learning Network (PILN)

The Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

BirdLife International Pacific

Critical Ecosystem Partnerships Fund (CEPF) Polynesia-Micronesia