We are pleased to advise that the algae situation in Muri has improved. In a statement from the CEO of Cook Islands Tourism,  “The clearing up of the seaweed in Muri has relieved a lot of concerned stakeholders. It is a pleasing outcome for one of the Cook Islands’s most iconic sites. However, the work on sanitation and lagoon management will continue as part of the consolidated body within Government. There are short term and long term outcomes to be achieved, to ensure the environment is protected.”

Cook Islands Tourism is working in collaboration with a number of  government and community stakeholders. Here is a statement from Daryl Rairi. Project Manager "At this stage, on behalf of the Cook Islands Government we are not able to offer an explanation as to why the seaweed density has appeared to dramatically reduce. There are a wide range of potential causes of this however given the rapid change of conditions it may be because of weed breaking off in a recent storm or high lagoon temperatures causing some die off.

The PMU note that changes like this support the need for a comprehensive investigation programme to extend over a full 12 months of monitoring. The monitoring will assess the influences of seasonal and other climate conditions as well as land activity. The PMU have had environmental scientists in Rarotonga this week, and we appreciate the ongoing support of the community as we implement this programme, the urgency of which has not been diminished."

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