Minister Koya Opens Marine Science and Education Centre
Climate change is being felt from the coastal waters to major oceans therefore it’s important to raise awareness on the dangers of the impact plastics, rubbish and chemicals can do in our marine life.
While opening the life under sea marine science education centre at Barefoot Manta Resort in the Yasawas on Friday, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Koya said awareness should reach all ages within our community. The opening coincided with the World Oceans Day.
Science, he said was important in the efforts to protect our marine eco system and the solution to challenges we faced.
“Today’s oceans are under great stress. Pressures from a growing human population are increasing with fishing, shipping and recreation crowding into regions of abundant shell-fish and other active fisheries.
“At times the efforts of the industry and communities alike to conserve and improve it, go unrecognised but the Fijian Government recognises this and I stand here today to thank you for your efforts in keeping our pristine marine environment,” Mr Koya said.
The Fijian Tourism Development Plan, he added has made a number of strategies which are currently implemented for the protection of our reef and marine areas and the event on Friday contributes towards these.
“These strategies include raising awareness on marine conservation and the establishment of Marine Protected Areas to help protect and conserve our marine environment,” Mr Koya said. As commemoration for World Oceans Day, he said it was important that the life support system on Earth depended on ocean’s natural resources.
“Oceans produce 50 per cent of the oxygen necessary for human survival and therefore, the sustainable use and management of the oceans, even its resources, is critical to us today and for future generations. “Our oceanic environment holds solutions to our current challenges, and the driver has to be our youth, the aspirants of today, and the global leaders of tomorrow.
“Let us make sure not to deny them the opportunity,” Mr Koya said.