Article on the tradition of catching frigate birds in Nauru.
A report by Jim Specht of the Australian Museum, Sydney. 8 pages
Pacific Science 1992: vol. 46: no. 2: 128-158.
Scientific article
Refer to dataset description for information. Please use this version for double-sided printing.
Please refer to dataset description for further information.
A traditional sport called Ibbon Itsi is an annual competition that last about a week, where men try and catch as many frigate birds as possible. Tame frigate birds are used to lure other frigate birds.
8 page report:
Tridacna maxima used for adze blades
The indigenous floras of the raised phosphatic limestone island of Nauru and the atolls of the Gilbert Islands are among the poorest on earth. Long settlement, widespread destruction during World War II, monocultural
expansion of coconut palms, and more than 75 yr of open-cast phosphate mining in the case of Nauru have led to serious vegetation degradation, disturbance, and displacement. The floras of Nauru and the Gilbert Islands consist of
Government Report to UNCCD - prepared by the Dept. Economic Development and Environment. 2003
The environmental issue of greatest concern to the people of Nauru is the degradation of the mined phosphate lands. In all of the series of consultations that were carried out between the people of Nauru and the various teams of technical experts to ascertain the feasibility of rehabilitating the island, it was constantly emphasised that the total degradation of topside, including localized inland, water shortages and coastal erosions are problems that need to be addressed for sustainable development.
Photocopy of an article published in Geo 9 (2): 70-77
The sport called Ibbon Itsi is a competition between tow groups of men who, tow or three times a year, spend about a week attempting to catch as many frigate-birds as possible. To enable this competition to take place, tame birds have to be sustained throughout the year.
The map shows areas of critical importance for the biodiversity and ecosystems of Nauru's terrestrial and marine environments.
Circular 21/150
Inform Plus proposed 5 pillars
- Component 1: Environmental Governance
- Component 2: Monitoring and field data collection for environmental standards and standardised environmental indicators
- Component 3: Data management utilising the Pacific Island Network Portal (PEP). Production of information products for decision makers based on existing data sets.
- Component 4: Enhance and expand GIS use for data collection, analysis and presentation to inform decision makers
Map of the Nauru Island Key Biodiversity Areas
Circular cover letter that was sent out on 1st December 2021
Proposed Project Objective: Enhanced use of data for decision making in the environment sector throughout the Pacific region. Building on the tools and momentum the Inform project established, this scaled up project will expand the user base and fill significant gaps including in situ monitoring, increased partnerships between the environment ministries and other ministries, increase use of spatial tools, and the establishment of standardise environmental standards and key indicators for key resources.
Summary table of the status of Pacific Island countries in relation to International and Regional conventions.