Sea level monitoring and seabed mapping - Pitcairn Island

Context

The Pitcairn Islands are home to the third largest marine protected area in the world. The archipelago comprises four islands, including Ducie and Oeno, two very low-lying atolls (less than 5 meters above sea level) that are major nesting sites for seabirds and breeding grounds for sharks. Due to their isolation and low visitor numbers, remote monitoring of sea level change is essential to anticipate the effects of climate change.
Stakes and objectives

The aim is to measure and record variations in sea level in order to anticipate the impacts of climate change and plan appropriate adaptation measures. The data collected should support coastal management and the protection of the marine protected area.
Stakeholders

Natural Resources Division

Facility description

The project involves the installation of tide gauges on Ducie and Oeno, and if possible also on Henderson and Pitcairn. The equipment will enable data to be collected on sea level variations. This initiative complements existing actions focusing on water salinity and temperature.