An international conservation group says the lack of awareness about the impacts of invasive species in the Pacific region must be addressed.
Taholo Kami of the IUCN World Conservation Union Oceania office says often a pest or invasive species isn't a priority for small island states, until it is too late.
Mr Kami says its impacts are devastating, particularly on the economy and environment, but also on people's lifestyle and livelihoods.
He says prevention needs to be a priority, and information gaps about how to deal with it, addressed.
"Sometimes invasives is seen as a small side issue. It usually is a concern for governments when it affects agriculture. But in terms of biodiversity, the implications are probably greater, but they are often not something in public awareness."
The Fiji based IUCN Oceania office has joined several organisations working in partnership under the Pacific Invasives Initiative, to implement programmes.
