World Oceans Day serves as a reminder to address environmental challenges

DFFE launches two studies

SOUTH AFRICA: Commemorating World Oceans Day, Deputy Minister, Narend Singh launched two commissioned studies addressing the health of the country’s oceans and rivers.

“What today's launches do is give scientific substance to a legal framework we have long had in place. They show how science and innovation can help us to reimagine a more sustainable future – from the catchment through to the coast,” he told an audience in KwaZulu Natal.

The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment introduced a study undertaken to provide an understanding of the environmental challenges facing Durban Bay as well as a second study that aims to assessment of the microplastics and associated pollutants entering our rivers through the catchment areas of Msunduzi and Swartkops.

“The eThekwini Municipality serves as a major gateway for trade and investment. However, the Bay faces mounting pressures arising from activities further up our rivers,” he noted as he highlighted the theme for this year’s World Oceans Day.

“REIMAGINE: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean is this year's theme for World Oceans Day. It challenges us to think beyond our current paradigm for managing our environment. It invites us to imagine a future wherein humanity and nature thrive.

Reimagining our relationship with the ocean means recognising that our ocean is not merely an inexhaustible natural resource that we can exploit at will. Nor is the ocean an alien ecosystem divorced from the rest of our lives,” he added.

In his message, Singh encouraged the country to reconsider how we understand pollution. “Reimagining our relationship with the ocean requires us to consider how to produce, use and manage our resources sustainably,” he said explaining that plastic pollution not only affects the health of our ecosystems, but also the economic health and resilience of communities.

“Most importantly, reimagining our relationship with the ocean means recognising that the health of our oceans is affected much earlier than the point at which our rivers reach the coastline. The decisions that we make in our homes, businesses, municipalities and industries determine the state of our rivers, estuaries and oceans,” he added as he reinforced the source-to-sea logic that remains a founding premise of the Department’s coastal management.

“What today's launches do is give scientific substance to a legal framework we have long had in place. Indeed, today's launches embody this very notion. They show how science and innovation can help us to reimagine a more sustainable future – from the catchment through to the coast.”

Singh also highlighted the country’s obligations as a global citizen. “Our response to plastic pollution is not only a domestic one. South Africa is an active negotiator in the United Nations process to conclude a legally-binding global agreement on plastic pollution, with the next decisive round of negotiations set for early next year.

“We are also progressing the ratification of the Nairobi Convention's Protocol on Land-Based Sources and Activities, which addresses precisely the kind of pollution this study tracks from catchment to coast.

Unlocking opportunities for the next generation

Acknowledging June’s designation as Youth Month in South Africa, the Deputy Minister said that the ongoing relationship with the ocean needs to recognise the youth as the custodians of the future ocean space.

“By reimagining our relationship with the ocean, we can unlock new opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in the blue economy through marine science, innovation, environmental stewardship, entrepreneurship, and sustainable ocean-based industries.

“Development means sustainability, economic opportunity and growth. On this Youth Month, let us commit ourselves to create development opportunities for our young people,” he said, adding that a transition to a greener economy must present new opportunities that address employment for the country’s young people.

“Environmental restoration, waste management, recycling, scientific research, conservation, maritime industries and the wider ocean economy can all contribute toward meaningful job creation and entrepreneurship amongst our youth.”