I have not found much info on what might be called rules and regulations for operating and investigation on the islands, and what we must be adhereing to per the applicable governments. I know it is a coral reef and very fragile. Can someone direct me to a reference or document (not too long) that would explain what the restrictions are?
It's worth noting, Bob, and may be lost in the discussion of 'rules' for investigating the islands, that TIGHAR was and has been, while responsibly investigating the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the prime mover in the chain of events that started the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) and their protected United Nations status. From an August 27, 2010 email from Ric Gillespie:
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We chartered Nai'a for the first time in 1997 for the Niku III expedition. Nai'a owner Rob Barrel was tremendously impressed with the pristine nature of the reef at Niku. He sang its praises to his friend Greg Stone at Boston's New England Aquarium. The aquarium chartered Nai'a for their own trip to the Phoenix Group and afterward approached the government of Kiribati about setting the islands aside as a protected area - thus was the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) born. Now PIPA has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the world's largest.
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A few days after I received this message, I attended a reception at the New England Aquarium in Boston, in which everyone from the senior management of the Aquarium, to PIPA representatives, to archaeologists who've worked in the area, formally praised TIGHAR's efforts at promoting responsible aviation archaeology in that environment and for getting the word out about the natural beauty of Nikumaroro and its environs. Ric and TIGHAR don't get enough credit for their efforts in this area and I appreciate your providing an opportunity to right this.
I'll be going to Nikumaroro, God willing and the creek don't rise, in a few weeks to see firsthand, as a tourist, this rare place, departing with the Betchart Expedition. Even though we as members of this trip will only be visiting Niku for a few days, we have all been given rules to observe by TIGHAR's senior archaeologist, Tom King. Here are just a few:
Tom writes,
"Niku is part of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA). Its environment is fragile and must not be disturbed. We won't be collecting plants, animals, corals, or any other living thing, and we'll try very hard not to disturb them. We won't be collecting any artifacts from underwater; if we see anything on the reef we'll mark it discreetly, locate it with GPS, and come back for it when we're equipped to do so. On land, any artifacts we find and decide to take back will be managed in accordance with TIGHAR's antiquities management agreement with the government of Kiribati, whose representatives will be aboard. Any artifact removed must be fully recorded as to its location and surroundings. It goes without saying that there can be no souvenir collecting, though in the past we have been permitted to collect shells, sea urchin spines, and other non-living objects in small, controlled quantities. Personally, I'd like to drag away a few bags of the plastic bottles and other flotsam of the Pacific Gyre that are polluting the beaches; I imagine this will be permissible if we have time and space aboard ship."
Joe Cerniglia
TIGHAR #3078ECR