World Oceans Day 2023 is observed on 8 June every year, to raise global awareness about the importance of the ocean in our lives and the ways through which we can protect it.
The theme of this year's United Nations World Oceans Day is 'Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing'.
Indeed, the tides are changing and we need to sustainably use our ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.
Our development approach should be to promote economic opportunities, but also protection and development of more intangible 'blue' resources such as traditional ways of life, carbon sequestration and coastal resilience in order to help vulnerable communities mitigate the devastating effects of poverty and climate change.
We need to promote the environmental and ecological sustainability of the use of our ocean resources. However, an important challenge is to understand how to better manage the many aspects of oceanic sustainability, ranging from sustainable fisheries to ecosystem health to preventing pollution. For example, Plastic Pollution is detrimental to aquatic and terrestrial animals as it destroys their habitats at an alarming rate. It also contributes immensely to environmental pollution.
We believe that our collective actions to protect our oceans will aid in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 14 "Life Below Water"
There is an urgent need to support efforts at protecting our oceans and raising awareness of the damage that is being done to our oceans and the fish populations.
It is a collective duty to participate and contribute to protecting and preserving our shared ocean, each of us has a role to play.
We realize that the sustainable management of ocean resources requires collaboration across borders and sectors through a variety of partnerships.
We therefore welcome you to partner with us on this noble Sustainable Oceans Agenda.
Let’s cherish and protect our ocean and the entirety of our blue planet.
Source: Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah
Director of Nsemkafo Consult and Convenor for the FISHERIES ALLIANCE
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