South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC)

• Aquaculture interests:
  SOPAC is the regional expert in water quality modelling and coastal mapping, two essential elements required for ecological monitoring and spatial management of aquaculture.
• About the organisation:
  SOPAC was established in 1972 as CCOP/SOPAC (the Committee for Coordination of Joint Prospecting for Mineral Resources in South Pacific Offshore Areas) under the sponsorship of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). In 1984, CCOP/SOPAC changed its legal status to become an independent, regional intergovernmental body, changing its name to SOPAC in 1989.
  
  SOPAC is mandated by several South Pacific nations to:
  · develop resource policy, and advise on the management and development of onshore and offshore mineral and aggregate resources;
  · meet the needs for water resources, waste management, health and sanitation through the provision of resource policy and management advice, appropriate information and training;
  · support the information requirements and enhance the skills required for management and operation of the energy sector in member countries;
  · assist decision makers and planners to develop coastal zones and extract resources while protecting them from degradation;
  · predict the effects of hazards on the health, wealth and development potential of member countries;
  · assist decision makers and planners to understand ocean processes, develop ocean areas and extract resources while protecting oceans from over exploitation and pollution;
  · provide geoscientific and related education needs through the provision of a variety of training and education opportunities at all levels of geoscience and resource management;
  · meet the demands for electronic information by member country governments and regional organisations to manage resources and risk;
  · support national authorities in disaster management activities through advice information; and
  · provide readily available and current information in geoscience and related fields to member countries and others.
  
  SOPAC comprises the Governing Council (the member country representatives), the Secretariat (based in Suva) and the Technical Advisory Group (TAG). TAG comprises advisors who are nominated by member countries and by supporting governments and organisations, or are invited by the secretariat. The commission's work programme is formulated from member country requests, and is carried out by its Secretariat based in Suva, Fiji Islands.
  
  SOPAC is funded by a combination of statutory and voluntary contributions by its member countries and grants from donor governments and international agencies. Supporting countries include Australia, Fiji Islands and New Zealand as members, Canada, France, Republic of Korea, Japan, Norway, the People's Republic of China, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
  
  The European Union, Commonwealth Secretariat and UNDP are the principal multilateral supporting agencies. SOPAC has formal and informal links with many other supporting agencies and institutions. Member countries provide considerable support during survey work, and ship time in the region is regularly contributed by other countries such as the France, Japan, United States and Germany.
• Contact details :
  
  • Mailing Address
    South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) Private Mail Bag, GPO Suva Fiji Islands
  • Website
    http://www.sopac.org.fj
  • Telephone
    (+679) 3381377
  • Facsimile
    (+679) 3370040
  • E-Mail
    [email protected]
  • Aquaculture Contact
    Ms Cristelle Pratt