About Us | Pacific Environment

About PRISMSS

The Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) is a service designed to facilitate the scaling up of operational management of invasive species in the Pacific. The SPREP led PRISMSS brings together experts to provide support within the Pacific region with a focus on protection of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystem function. As a service provider, PRISMSS provides a comprehensive suite of support services in a cohesive, effective, efficient, and accessible manner to Pacific Island countries and territories

Why PRISMSS Matters

Pacific Islanders depend heavily on their natural environment for food, freshwater, cultural identity, and protection from extreme weather. But invasive species pose one of the greatest threats to these essential systems.

45% of Pacific species are at risk of extinction—among the highest extinction rates globally.
Invasive species are the leading threat to endemic Pacific biodiversity.
Their impacts extend to economies, trade, health, water security, ecosystem services, and long‑term climate resilience.

Invasive species such as rats, weeds, and feral pigs weaken native ecosystems, making communities more vulnerable to the increasing impacts of climate change.

The Capacity Challenge

Healthy ecosystems provide Pacific communities with food, clean water, and natural protection from storms. However, many Pacific Island countries and territories lack the resources, technical expertise, and capacity needed to effectively manage and control priority invasive species.

Our Major Funders

PRISMSS is strongly supported:

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT) NZMFAT has demonstrated long‑term leadership in Pacific ecosystem resilience through significant investment that enables PRISMSS to scale from isolated projects to coordinated, region‑wide programmes with measurable conservation and climate‑resilience outcomes.
United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UKFCDO) Through the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) programme, the UKFCDO provides complementary funding that strengthens ongoing PRISMSS initiatives and deepens collaboration with NZMFAT enhancing invasive species management and supporting climate‑resilient communities across the Pacific.

How PRISMSS Supports the Pacific

PRISMSS focuses on:

Knowledge‑sharing and best‑practice guidance
Specialised technical expertise
Capacity‑building and training
Strategic coordination across countries, partners, and scientific networks

These efforts help strengthen the region’s collective ability to manage invasive species, protect biodiversity, and build healthier, more resilient ecosystems for future generations.

PRISMSS Programmes

PRISMSS offers Pacific countries and territories access to six technical programmes. These programmes are designed to offer a holistic approach to invasive species management. The programmes start with prevention, through biosecurity and early detection and rapid response, then move to solutions which aim to eradicate invasive species where possible.

When eradication is not possible, PRISMSS offers long term management solutions, where possible on a landscape scale and where not, through intervention on high priority sites.