THE WORLD’S attention has focused on tackling the global issue of booming illegal trade in wildlife derivatives which contributes to the continued decline of the world’s biodiversity.
Around the world, the unsustainable rate of loss of animals and plants are robbing heritages, cultural ties and driving whole species to the edge of extinction.
Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Metrology (MECDM), Hon Samuel Manetoali made the statement during celebrations marking the World Environment Day, World Ocean Day and Coral Triangle Initiative Day yesterday in Honiara.
He said the country is faced with issues of illegal killing, trade and smuggling of wildlife and its products which undermine their economies, the rights of people and local communities.
Adding that it was evident that organised crime, corruption and insecurity are fueled by these illegal activities.
“Solomon Islands is no different, with the unique and epidemic plants and animals, our country lies vulnerable to the global demand (let alone the black-market) for wildlife.
“For instance, there was an ongoing attempt to smuggle turtle shells, birds, crocodile skins, seeds etc… out of the country.
“This is just from what we know and cases that were reported. Illegal and unreported activities are obviously present, prompted also by the remoteness of our islands and the inability of us to monitor and enforce our national regulations,” Hon Manetoali said.
He stressed that this call is crucial as it looked on us to step up our national efforts for wildlife protection, management and enforcement.
In the meantime, he said their efforts are to ensure that the ocean and its resources are crucial as issues of marine pollution, over-fishing, and sea-level rise are many of the issues faced by our communities.
“With over 4000 coastal communities in Solomon Islands, we depend on the coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass ecosystems for our daily subsistence, shelter, income and wellbeing.
“Interestingly, some economic valuations were made to find out in money value, what the marine environment is actually providing to us with an estimated values of SBD$2.51billion per year. (Source Draft MACBIO Report 2015)
“Similarly at the national scale, the ocean brings in revenue estimations made for the tuna sector which is over SBD$1 billion per year,” Manetoali said.
He stressed that another area also to look at is the country’s tourism sector, in which swimming, snorkeling and diving tops the list for why visitors are coming.
However, with these dollar values it signifies the value of oceans to the government in which efforts are to collaborate, establish and maintain partnership with regional and international community
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