By Loretta B Manele
Pacific Island countries have been managing fish stock for centuries.
James Marape, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister highlighted the above whilst speaking at the high-level session at the Honiara Summit- “Iumi tugeda delivering on SDG 14.4: Achieving Sustainable Fisheries” at the Friendship Hall yesterday.
In reference to Pacific Island countries, he said they have managed their fish stock for centuries.
“The ocean is our supermarket. The ocean is our garden. The ocean is our life. No one needs to lecture us on fish sustainability. It is our lifestyle.”
In relation, Marape voiced that lectures on fish sustainability should be taken to the big industry polluters or those whose countries are host of illegal fishing.
“Because they are the ones causing non-sustainability of ocean resources in our part of the world.”
Marape highlighted that the Pacific Ocean is the biggest on the face of planet earth and leaders of the Pacific acknowledge this is a global asset and global resource.
“That is why they carved out the blue Pacific continent.
The blue Pacific strategy to ensure we are compliant to SDG number 14.”
Marape mentioned that SDG 14.4 arrived later as Pacific people had practised sustainable fisheries for millennium of years.
“SDG 14 arrived in 2015. As we march to 2030, I wonder how many SDGs all nations on the face of planet, especially the big polluters.”
Marape stressed that the big polluters and big holders of carbon footprint are USA, China, Japan, India and Europe.
“All of your partners sitting here with us. You have caused sea level rise, not my Pacific and if there is any sense of morality left in you, take this message back to your countries.”
Marape said the ocean is a big asset of planet earth that is a carbon sink, a supermarket and a super highway for all the big countries’ ships and submarines and is in need of help.
“In the context of fisheries, please assist us. Assist us with technology to stop illegal fishing that is depleting our fish.”
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