Fisheries & Governance: Tokelau’s participation in the Pacific tuna cartel’s Vessel Day Scheme has been abruptly cut, and new documents suggest New Zealand’s role may have been more “interference” than support—raising fresh questions about how Pacific fisheries are managed and who gets a say. Ocean Protection vs Extraction: A US startup is seeking approval to explore deep-sea mining in a high-seas area surrounded by the exclusive waters of French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, and Kiribati—putting tuna-rich ecosystems and regional rights in the spotlight. Coral Reef Action: Researchers are set to meet in Auckland to tackle coral reef threats, with organisers pushing Pacific Islander knowledge and traditions for reef management. Climate Risk in the Pacific: El Niño is underway and could become one of the strongest on record, with forecasts pointing to extreme ocean warming that can intensify storms and disrupt ecosystems. Food & Water Resilience (Kiribati): In Abaiang, a Kiribati knowledge broker is helping households use water-efficient gardening to boost harvests while easing pressure on fragile groundwater. Security & the “Blue Continent”: Pacific leaders condemned a China submarine-launched ballistic missile test, saying it landed in the heart of their shared “blue continent,” underscoring how great-power politics keeps colliding with ocean stewardship. Tuna Compliance at Sea: Pacific fisheries observers are being used not just for science, but also to improve compliance—highlighting how hard it is to stop unreported fishing and protect tuna sustainability.