With over 3,000 foreign vessel visits in the past two years and 15 domestic oil spills in five years, the need for stronger maritime responsibility is urgent.
Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Naisa Tuinaceva highlighted during the celebration of World Maritime Day that Fiji has diverse marine habitats, including mangroves, reefs, and lagoons, support biodiversity and fisheries but face constant threats from shipping activity through its eight international ports.
Tuinaceva says that for Fiji, where 98 percent of the territory is ocean and 75 percent of people depend on marine resources, protecting the sea is critical.
He says Fiji is proud to be a large ocean state and this pride carries a duty to safeguard marine resources for future generations.
The theme for this year is ‘Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.
Meanwhile, students from Suva Grammar School and Sacred Heart College were also part of this celebration.
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