Fiji is progressing successfully with the implementation of the 17 commitments that it undertook during the UN World Oceans Conference in June last year.
Ministry of Fisheries permanent secretary Sanaila Naqali said even though the commitments could not be implemented overnight, the Government was adamant about administering them.
Mr Naqali said it was too early to measure results because work had just started for majority of the commitments.
“However, the implementation of bans, moratoriums and sustainable use of fisheries projects is a positive sign that the project is being implemented on the ground,” he said.
“There are still some plans in line with the commitments that will be implemented this year and this includes the setting up of marine sanctuaries and conservation sites in our waters.
“As we talk now, the ministry is taking leading roles in spearheading these projects with members of the communities and resource owners.
“For now, we can say that we are working towards the implementations of the commitments.”
Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau said the ministry and its partners were implementing the commitments within communities in the country.
Addressing the conference in Sweden last year, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said climate change and the state of our oceans could not be separated because they were interlinked.
Mr Bainimarama had urged global leaders at the conference to act in concert as a global community to roll back the tide of neglect and preserve our marine resources, not only for ourselves but for the generations to come.
At the conference Fiji had committed itself to conserving and managing its grouper fish stocks, expanding its large scale marine managed areas, conserving its sea turtles, conserving and managing of all species and rays and their critical habitats, and protection and management of all marine mammal species.
2014, Fiji Times Limited