Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine in her keynote speech to the opening of this week’s National Ocean Symposium underlined the importance of conserving and protecting ocean resources for today and future generations. She exhorted participants to take individual and community-level actions to keep the ocean environment healthy.
“While the government can set policies, and experts can offer solutions, lasting change will only happen when our communities lead the way,” President Heine said.
“When we take ownership of our waters. When we blend the wisdom of our ancestors with the tools of today. When we value not just the resources in the ocean, but the responsibility that comes with them.”
She asked pointedly: “What kind of ocean do we want to leave for our children? What kind of nation are we shaping through our choices today? How can each of us contribute — not just once a year, but every day?”
The President highlighted the recently declared first national marine sanctuary in the northern part of the Marshall Islands and pointed to the importance of “protected area network” locations under local community management.
Summarizing the country’s approach to fisheries, MIMRA Director Glen Joseph commented earlier: “The ocean is life. The world’s ocean is being degraded, but we are able to bring part of it back by recognizing that protection and food production are not mutually exclusive. Our future depends on protecting our ocean.”