Page 34 - IB MAY 2017

Oceans

Change the narrative, says Pacific expert

by Samisoni Pareti
JUST under a month from the first-ever
United Nations conference on the oceans,
a leading Pacific Island expert has called for
a dramatic change in the narrative about
ocean conservation and management. PNG islanders paddle out to go fishing with
a gill net. Photo: Juergen Freund/WWF
“Invariably asking for funds and assis-
tance from the global community is kind
of disempowering,” wrote Dr Transform State
Aqorau of Solomon Islands. He is the
former CEO of the powerful rich tuna re-
sourced grouping called the Parties of the
Nauru Agreement (PNA) and the former
legal adviser at the Pacific Islands Forum
Secretariat and the Pacific Forum Fisher-
ies Agency. of our
“It has become a consistent theme now
for Pacific Island states at various interna-
tional forums particularly in discussions on
climate change and sustainable develop-
ment to ask for more funds.
“They should advocate a message of ocean
self-reliance and independence so that the
younger generation can feel empowered,
not disenfranchised and apologetic. The
best way of managing the region’s oceans
resources and marine environment is to
integrate the EEZ regime and the ocean
environment into their domestic econo-
mies by developing the oceans and using
the revenues that are generated from it
to manage and enforce conservation and
management measures.”
Dr Aqorau penned his views following
a preparatory meeting in Suva of Pacific Woman catching shellfish at Tavewa Island.
Island leaders and officials last March in Photo: Juergen Freund/WWF
the lead up to the UN Conference on Oceans A fisherwoman casts off at sunset at Kavewa Island. Photo: Juergen Freund/ WWF
that Fiji is co-hosting with Sweden at the
UN General Assembly in New York on
June 5-9.
The high level conference is aimed at Ocean, and with its resources serving as a following presentations by ‘top technical
supporting the UN Sustainable Develop- critical source of our food security, prosper- agencies and the world’s foremost scien-
tists and scholars.’
ity, and well-being, the Ocean is central to
ment Goal 14, to conserve and sustain-
ably use the oceans, seas and marine our way of life. But with generations of un- “Seven partnership dialogues will pro-
resources for sustainable development. restrained human activity having pushed vide a platform for governments and com-
Current President of the UN’s 71st session the Ocean’s health into serious decline, that munities of scholars, industries, citizens
General Assembly and Fiji’s Permanent way of life is under threat. The remedying and NGOs to work together constructively.
of the woes we have put upon the Ocean,
I think we will see old partnerships in-
Representative to the UN Peter Thomson
described the June conference as the “best closely coupled with Climate Change, is one vigorated and new and innovative ones
chance we have of saving life as we know of the great challenges facing humanity in formed.”
it in the ocean.” the 21st Century.” His fisheries minister and like Baini-
“For Pacific Small Island Developing So what is the state of the health of the marama, one-time commander of the
States, the stakes could not be higher. With Pacific Ocean? Fiji Navy, Semi Koroilavesau took a step
the Ocean making up almost 98 percent Co-President of the June Conference on further by warning that the tipping point
of our region’s area, with our cultures, Oceans at UNGASS, Fiji’s Prime Minister point for oceans and its resources has been
heritage and traditions entwined with the Frank Bainimarama believes the ‘moment reached. “We all want clean beaches with
of truth’ would be known at the conference pristine waters, healthy fisheries and safe

34 Islands Business, May 2017