Environmental
Invasive pest threat – Late order to restrict ship movements questioned
Orders to restrict shipping movements from Port Vila to contain the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle have been questioned as arriving late.
Two months after the arrival of the coconut rhinoceros beetle in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s Department of Biosecurity issued an order limiting ship departures from Port Vila Harbour to daylight hours, with night departures only allowed if ship lights are switched off to reduce the risk of beetles boarding vessels and spreading to other islands. Concerns have been raised about the delay in implementing these measures, given the significant threat this invasive pest poses to Vanuatu’s coconut plantations and broader agricultural economy.
- Status
- active
- Location
- Port Vila, Efate Island, Vanuatu
- Date added
- 2026-03-25 21:17 UTC
- Last updated
- 2026-03-25 21:17 UTC
- Source
- https://vbtc.vu/news
- Connected threats
-
- Not Available