by Charley Piringi
The Pacific Community (SPC), through its Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), launched a redesigned Pacific Ocean Portal, in Honiara last night.
The digital platform was aimed at giving Pacific Island nations open, user-friendly access to actionable ocean data.
The launch took place on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Ocean Conference (PIOC) in Honiara, which runs from 29 September to 3 October.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, SPC representatives, and regional stakeholders officiated the launching.
Originally created in 2012 by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the Pacific Ocean Portal has long supported decision-making in areas such as fisheries, marine conservation, maritime safety, tourism, and disaster resilience.
The revamped version reflects a decade of feedback from Pacific users, offering a broader range of tools tailored to community and sector needs.
Deputy Secretary Corporate for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Karl Kuper said the Portal is not just a tool, it is a symbol of partnership, progress, and Pacific leadership.”
“It empowers our communities and strengthens our resilience in the face of a changing climate,” Kuper added.
Jens Krüger, Deputy Director of SPC’s Ocean and Maritime Programme, said the portal’s functions reflect 10 years of feedback from Pacific users.
“It demonstrates the scientific excellence of Pacific people. It is by the Pacific for the Pacific,” Kruger explained.
The upgraded platform provides interactive maps, downloadable datasets, and customised dashboards that cater to coastal communities, fisheries managers, shipping operators, conservationists, researchers, and national meteorological services.
Features include sea level anomaly tracking, tide and wave forecasts, coral bleaching risk indicators, ocean acidification trends, fish migration data, and historical climate records.
SPC acknowledged the Government of Solomon Islands for hosting the launch and thanked COSPPac partners, including the governments of Australia and New Zealand, for their support.
The Pacific Ocean Portal, maintained by SPC through COSPPac, is positioned as a decision-support tool that strengthens resilience across the Blue Pacific by connecting science, policy, and communities.
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