PM urges environment-friendly action
by Jaime Hall
Guyana Chronicle
June 3, 2004
PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds in his address yesterday during an exhibition to mark the observance of World Environment Day urged citizens to think carefully about their actions that could impact negatively on the environment and made specific reference to the ocean.
Mr. Hinds, speaking to participants of the exhibition held at Umana Yana, which was organized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said Guyanese should be concerned about the ocean because it serves as part of an important activity, not only to provide sea foods for many, but the harvest of sea-foods is being exported to earn foreign currency. And this contributes to the economic development of the country, he pointed out. However, people must take into account that the ocean is not finite, there has been a fall in the rate of harvesting of fish, which indicates that for many years the sustainable reproduction of marine life in the ocean has been exceeded.
In Guyana, leading fisheries have been complaining about this problem, he reported. In response to the theme for this year's World Environmental Day observances- "Wanted! seas and oceans, dead or alive?", The Prime Minister said the seas and oceans are needed alive and not dead. But this could be only be achieved by beginning to effect change in our own lifestyle and expectations.
Hinds said, the government of Guyana recognises that scientific advantages and technological advancement is critically linked to maritime operations.
Maritime activity will continue to open up untapped potential for the use of coastal and offshore exclusive economic zones and deep sea ocean areas.
It is against this backdrop that the conventions governing the land and sea should be closely examined at the regional and international level, he said.
To address the challenges of vulnerability of the ocean resources, developing countries particularly small states require assistance to enhance and manage the existing level of development in a well integrated manner.
This will enable Guyana to pursue opportunities for economic development on the coast and oceans while protecting, conserving and sustaining their ecological integrity and biodiversity.
There is an urgent need for concerted action on land and sea at regional and international levels.
Mechanisms already exist, including the global plan of action for the protection of the marine environment form land based activities United National Convention of the law of the sea and the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation action plans for fisheries.
The EPA Board of Director Chairman Mr. Andrew Bishop in his remarks during the opening of the exhibition said despite the agency was established eight years ago, formal responses to the environment existed earlier.
But the surge in economic activities during the last two decades, and the declarations at the 1992 Rio Summit gave impetus to many countries formalising their environmental practices through legislation.
The Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) made a significant contribution building capacity and human resource development which is now helping the EPA to carry out its mandate in a satisfactory manner.
The agencies participating in the exhibition included the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation among other environmental interest organisations.