T

he solutions to our economic and ecological problems are found in nature. If we protect, respect and use our natural resources wisely, then all of our problems will start to disappear.

This is the message from World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Pacific Fiji Great Sea Reef programme manager Alfred Ralifo for World Ocean Day today.

Mr Ralifo said Fijians need to protect the ocean for the future generations.

“The ocean provides us with many resources from food, energy, medicine, minerals, money, recreation, happiness and well-being, tradition and culture, spirituality, regulating our climate and so much more,” Mr Ralifo said.

“Yet, our current way of doing things and how we treat the ocean does not reflect the respect, protection, appreciation and the recognition the ocean deserves in terms of its generosity through all the ecosystem services it provides. “Over the years, we have pillaged, plundered, used it as our dumping ground and polluted the ocean and we are already experiencing the impacts. “From declining and collapsing fish stocks, to dead coral reefs, loss in tourism revenue, sea level rise, increased storm surges, coastal erosion and salt water inundation, polluted and dirty oceans and beaches, the list go on.”

He said everyone had a role to play when it comes to innovation for a sustainable ocean. “Innovation for sustainable ocean means exploring new and innovative opportunities to sustainably manage our ocean resources and tapping into the full potential of the ocean to achieve sustainable economic growth, ensure food security and human well-being, and fight climate change,” he said.

“It’s also about finding innovative solutions and ways to ensure that the rights of all people including indigenous communities are protected, ensuring that they are all part of the planning, management and fair, just and equitable sharing of benefits from the ocean.

He said the biggest challenges facing oceans in 2020 is “Changing the mindset of people - of all stakeholders and government for the political will and enabling environment, convincing the private sector, the financial institutions and all the grass root communities that this can be done.

“We can develop a carbon neutral sustainable blue economy business plan that can bring in multiple benefits for our people and our ocean. All the solutions are found in nature.”