Maldives aims to conserve at least 20 percent of its ocean

Maldivian Environment Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan says the Maldives aims to conserve at least 20 percent of its ocean in order to boost fish stock and enhance marine life.

He made the comment in his address at the Our Ocean Conference at Oslo, Norway, on Thursday.

Dr. Hussain said that Maldives planned on undertaking a comprehensive marine spatial planning exercise and marine conservation program in partnership with the Blue Prosperity Coalition - a global network of ocean experts dedicated to advancing ocean conservation, and promoting and supporting blue economies.

"With our environmentally conscious tuna pole-and-line fishery and eco-friendly tourism, the Maldives is already a renowned sustainability brand,” noted Dr. Hussain.

He added that the Maldives aimed to conserve at least 20 percent of its ocean in order to boost fish stocks, enhance marine life, and safeguard peoples’ livelihoods.

Dr. Hussain stressed that the world’s oceans held nature’s richest and most valuable reservoir of resources.

“As the custodians of this nature’s bounty, it is our duty to manage these resources sustainably and pass them to the future generations to enjoy,” said Dr. Hussain. “What happens to the oceans will happen to us. The fate of the oceans will be our collective fate as a species here on earth.”