By Elishya Perera
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CWBN)_ Jamaica and Canada were among the 14 countries which committed to a 100 per cent sustainable ocean management today (Dec 03) and called on more countries to join the initiative.
The leaders of Jamaica, Canada, Australia, Chile, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, and Ocean Panel co-chairs Norway and Palau, made the commitment to sustainably manage nearly 30 million square kilometres (km) of the ocean under their jurisdiction by 2025.
In a joint press release issued today, President of Palau and Ocean Panel Co-chair Tommy Remengesau Jr. said that the ocean plays a significant role in driving a sustainable, long-term recovery given the economic downturn and health crises following the COVID-19 pandemic. He further noted that we do not have to choose between ocean protection and production. “[…] we can have both for a healthy, prosperous and equitable tomorrow if we properly manage our impacts upon it [the ocean],” he said.
Meanwhile, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that while sustainable management of oceans is imperative for the benefit of a healthy planet, it is also necessary to achieve productivity and diversification for the benefit of the people whose livelihoods depend on it.
With the world’s longest coastline, Canada’s commitment plays a significant role in this regard. “Canada recognizes that our economy and our well-being are deeply connected with the health of our oceans, and that we have a responsibility to protect them. That is why we are committed to working with our international Ocean Panel leaders, and to developing a comprehensive blue economy strategy,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
In addition to the 100 per cent commitment, the members of the Ocean Panel also agreed on the 74 priority actions detailed in a Transformations Report which focuses on five critical areas, namely ocean wealth, ocean health, ocean equity, ocean knowledge and ocean finance.
Edited by Kaveesha Fernando
