Vice-President’s message on World Oceans Day ‘We can turn the tide on ocean pollution’ |09 June 2018

“It is encouraging to see that there is a growing awareness in the world and in Seychelles of (ocean pollution),” Vice-President Vincent Meriton has said in a message on the occasion of World Oceans Day celebrated yesterday.

“There is increased mobilisation to clean up our ocean and use less plastic and recycle the plastic we use,” the vice-president notes in his message, the full text of which reads: 

“We in Seychelles like in many other countries, celebrate World Oceans Day to remind everyone of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe. The purpose of the day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilise and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world's oceans. They are a major source of food and medicines and a critical part of the biosphere. In the end, it is a day to celebrate together the beauty, the wealth and the promise of the ocean.

“This year special focus is being placed on preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.  The Blue Economy and the well-being of our nation depends on healthy marine ecosystem. 

“We need to all work together to tackle this problem as 80% of all pollution in the ocean comes from people on land.  Seychelles’ well-being depends on a pristine environment not only for its tourism industry but for each and every one of its citizens.  Eight million tonnes of plastic per year ends in the ocean wreaking havoc on wildlife, fisheries and tourism.  Plastic pose a serious environmental problem because they persist in the oceans for long periods of time eventually fragmenting into micro-plastics, a process which increases the number of plastic particles in the marine environment. Even remote parts of our territory like World Heritage Site of Aldabra are plagued by ocean litter and plastics.

“It is encouraging to see that there is a growing awareness in the world and in Seychelles of this problem.  There is increased mobilisation to clean up our ocean and use less plastic and recycle the plastic we use.  Government has led the way by banning the use of plastic bags and various stakeholders and civil society are helping to rid our beaches of litter.  The Aldabra Clean-Up project is an excellent example of international cooperation.

“We can turn the tide and restore ocean health as our well-being that of future generations will depend on our action or inaction.”