Seychelles Nation - 30.04.2005
Seychelles came out shining when delegates attending the ICRI conference recently reviewed the country's recent achievements and its efforts to preserve the endangered coral reefs.
The Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Ronny Jumeau outlined some of the country’s successes as he opened the third International Coral Initiative (ICRI) at the Plantation Club and Resort on Monday April 25.
However, he only did so after stating the global threats that the demise of coral reefs poses to the world, and also named the challenges ahead and how Seychelles is planning to overcome them.
Key among the achievements were those realised during the last two years, when UK and Seychelles have been co-chairs of the world conservation body.
In words similar to those used by other delegates and guests, Minister Jumeau rightly said that drawing world attention to the situation of coral reefs during the Mauritius International Meeting of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) held in January this year was a landmark goal achieved.
"Those of you who could not be there to see how we managed to get United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to champion the cause of coral reefs in a small island setting missed a truly historic occasion for ICRI.
"You should have seen the faces of the hosts of other organisations and causes vying, unsuccessfully I might add, for Mr Annan's presence and a spot on his extremely heavy schedule," Mr Jumeau said.
He was referring to the side coral reef event that President James Michel of Seychelles hosted at the Mauritius SIDS meeting and gave its successful organisation as proof of how well the two co-chairs have worked together and complemented each other to realise the "huge success."
He hinted at some of the reasons why no country should sit on its laurels and referred to the status of coral reefs of the World Report for 2004, the foreword of which was co-written by President Michel and President Tommy Remengesau of Palau, the other SIDS which has taken over the co-chair of ICRI with Japan.
The minister said that according to the report, the prognosis for the coral reefs is very dire indeed, and gave the current world situation, with words that are still being echoed in news headlines around the world, which we published in the Tuesday edition of Seychelles Nation.
Minister Jumeau said Seychelles is not sitting back and waiting for its largesse.
"We have done a lot of work on coral reefs under the ICRI umbrella these past 10 years, and especially since the devastating 1998 El Nino.
"The December 2004 tsunami has only stiffened our resolve," he said, and gave the following developments:
. Seychelles is about to launch a national coral reef task force which will supercede the existing national coral reef monitoring network, and enable more proactive coordination of coral reef protection and rehabilitation on the various islands.
. The Seychelles Centre for Marine Research and Technology and Marine Parks Authority (SCMRT-MPA) and a number of non-governmental organisations are increasingly active in coral reef work, and promoting public awareness.
. The country has numerous educational materials being used in schools, where environmental education of all types is part of the curricula.
. Seychelles has strengthened planning and development laws to reduce sedimentation and other impacts on coral reefs. The protection of coastal habitats has become even more of a priority in Seychelles town and country planning authority and a nationwide concern among the population following the devastating effect of the December 26 tsunami.
. Seychelles has launched an environmental enforcement network and training programme involving government, including the Seychelles People's Defence Forces, the private sector, non-governmental organisations.
It will soon be formalised through a memorandum of understanding between all partners, with the aim of ensuring that poaching and other damaging impacts on the country's reefs and marine reserves van be minimised.
Minister Jumeau said that as ICRI celebrates its 10th anniversary, this country hopes to achieve effective management and sustainable use of coral reefs.
"We also hope to raise global and local awareness even more in this dire hour of the coral reefs and increase political and financial commitment to marine conservation and management in partnership with one another," he said.
He said this is the only way to ensure a sustainable future for all, especially those countries and communities that are heavily dependent on coral reefs and related coastal eco-systems for their survival.
On his own behalf, that of his ministry and the Government of Seychelles, thanked co-chairs Rolph Payet and John Robert for the commendable work they did during their tenure.
Delegates at the ceremony were treated to songs sung by school children which stressed on the dire need to conserve the remaining corals.
The children had participated in a song competition in the primary category of which the Independent School team of two, Analise Bonnelame and Amanda Michel, came first, as the Beau Vallon School team won the top prize in the secondary category.
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