2 May 2011

Pacific promised better navigational maps

3:26 pm on 2 May 2011

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community says a new agreement with the International Hydrographic Organisation will lead to the updating of ocean maps for Pacific Island countries.

The commitment between the agencies will provide a platform from which marine maps for modern day use can be produced.

The SPC's team leader for oceanography, Jens Kruger says it's a significant step, as some navigational charts date back to the 19th century.

"For many Pacific Island countries at the moment marine charts are actually going backwards because we have increased use of navigational routes from modern cruise ship liners but no new data is added onto those charts. So there's a great need to update those charts and make them fit for modern day use."

Jens Kruger says the new maps will aid the tourism industry as well as the sustainability of marine resources and climate change studies.