Ocean protection urged in economic recovery
THE Covid-19 pandemic has presented a crucial opportunity to strategise on how to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable economic practices built on climate resilience and oceans sustainability, says Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland.
Ahead of World Oceans Day today, she has urged governments to ensure that their countries’ post-Covid-19 economic recoveries are environmentally sustainable and safe for the oceans.
She said 47 of the Commonwealth’s 54 member countries had coastlines, and 25 were either small islands, developing states or “big ocean states” relying heavily on the ocean for food and income.
Scotland called on countries to reform development strategies in a way that supported vibrant and sustainable blue and green economies.
“The ocean is the lifeblood of so many Commonwealth countries and our environment should be the cornerstone as we put plans in place to recover our economies. The Commonwealth covers more than a third of coastal oceans in the world, contributing to a global ocean-based economy valued at $3 (R50 trillion) to $6 trillion per year,” she said.
“The Commonwealth Blue Charter is one of the most effective platforms for global ocean action in the international landscape today. I commend the work of our member countries through the action groups and welcome the support we have received from national, regional, and global partners, enabling us to mobilise together for ocean health.”
Dr Elizabeth Mkandawire, Postdoctoral Fellow and Co-ordinator: UN Academic Impact Hub for Sunstainable Development Goal 2 at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-Being; Dr Clarietta Chagwiza, Postdoctoral Fellow with UP’s department of agricultural economics, extension and rural Development; Dr Florence Opondo, Postdoctoral Fellow with UP’s Future Africa institute and lecturer at Laikipia University, Kenya; and Pedro Garcia, chairperson of the SA United Fishing
Front are using World Oceans Day to highlight the plight of small-scale fishers. “Small-scale fishers in South Africa remain significantly marginalised, and Covid-19 has worsened the situation. Their activities are considered essential services, but the closure of restaurants and small- and medium-sized processing plants during lockdown cut off (their) the market,” they said.
“In some cases, the species of fish they are allowed to catch are not available in their demarcated areas. This means they have to travel long distances to access this species.
“Another challenge is that the fishing permits are seasonal, as they are determined by the biological reproduction cycle of the species… leaving small-scale fishers with no source of income for the remainder of the year.
“Faced with food insecurity, poor working conditions and inadequate income, some small-scale fishers have turned to poaching. This puts their lives at risk, as it usually requires fishing at night, when the risks of falling into the sea and drowning are far higher, and they are at risk of being arrested and prosecuted.”