THE ocean sustains life on earth, and it allows us to breathe and regulate our climate.
The ocean brings food to our table, connects people across continents and provides global blue ways for the ships, which transport 80 per cent of world trade.
This year’s World Maritime Day (WMD) celebration theme is “Our Ocean, Our Obligation and Our Opportunity”.
The International Maritime Organization secretary-general, Arsenio Dominguez said our oceans were under threats from plastic pollution, rising temperatures, acidification and overfishing.
“Our ocean is struggling to keep up with human pressure,” he said.
“The ocean’s decline isn’t a coincidence, it’s driven by human activities, but it also means we have the power to reverse it.
“It is our obligation to work collaboratively to reduce pollution, protect marine life and shift to sustainable habits.
“Protecting and restoring the ocean is not just a duty, it is our opportunity to build a healthier planet, stronger economies and a safer future for generations to come.”
The World Maritime Day celebration was held at the Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies in Laucala Bay, Suva last week.
Chief guest at the event was the Assistant Minister for Public Works and Meteorological Services, Naisa Tuinaceva.
Mr Tuinaceva said 98 per cent of Fiji was made up of the ocean and 75 per cent of our people depended on it directly for their livelihood.
“Here in Fiji, our eight international port facilities receive foreign ships of all kinds, such as bulk carrier, cargo carriers, cruise liners, fishing vessels and more,” he said.
“In the last two years, six of these ports received 3165 ships. We see that trade happens every day.
That means we live in constant risk to our livelihood and marine environment every day. This is why we are embracing this year’s theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.
“We are proud to call ourselves a Large Ocean State. Such pride comes with equal responsibility.
“In the past five years, Fiji recorded a total of 15 domestic oil spills including the Southern Phoenix incident in 2017. It was classified as a Tier 3 spill.
“Today we reaffirm our commitment to protecting our ocean through international treaties, regional cooperation and national action — because our ocean is not just our identity, it is our lifeline.”
During the WMD event there were presentation from the Blue Prosperity Fiji team, the Adopt a Ship Program and Trashboom.
Students and stakeholders had an opportunity to tour booths and get information on services provided by different maritime organisations in Fiji.
The staff of Fiji Ships and Heavy Industries Limited at the World Maritime Day celebration held at the Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies in Laucala Bay, Suva last week. Picture: KATA KOLI
