World Oceans Day 2022: Key message from the Minister for Fisheries & the Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari |08 June 2022
Minister Ferrari
‘Let’s commit ourselves to a more ocean-friendly lifestyle’
The Minister for Fisheries & the Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari, is urging everyone in Seychelles and abroad to keep challenging their colleagues at work, school or even their neighbours to make an
individual commitment to a more ocean-friendly lifestyle.
The minister has made the appeal in his message on the occasion of World Oceans Day being celebrated today.
The full text of Minister Ferrari’s message reads:
“World Oceans Day is a day of celebration that propels action throughout the year to bring more attention to our blue planet. This United Nations international celebration is one which the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy holds dearly. This year, World Oceans Day is shaping up to be the most impactful yet with activities, celebrations, and other events, both online and in-person which are all being planned throughout the ocean month of June. My Ministry is proud to be spearheading several events which will bring more awareness to the importance of our oceans to the local community. The theme which the United Nations has chosen to commemorate the special day for the year 2022 is ‘Revitalization: collective action for the ocean’. It must be stated that in order to fulfill and promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 – ‘Life Below Water’, we all need to join hands and do our part. Collectively, our actions will help influence world leaders to support sustainable and attainable initiatives for our shared ocean as they make decisions leading up to the U.N. Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal at the end of June. It is critical that we put the ocean in a position of prominence when it comes to formulating our development plans as we all heavily depend on the earth’s ocean space either directly or indirectly. For 2022, World Oceans Day is raising awareness and support for the global movement to protect at least 30% of the world’s lands, waters, and ocean by 2030. Seychelles has been able to reach this milestone which proves that we are moving in the right direction and we are taking the necessary steps to ensure a sustainable future for not only ourselves, but also for the future generations.
“The ocean connects, sustains, and supports us all. Yet, its health is at a tipping point and so is the well-being of all who depend on it. As the past years have shown us, we need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean. We cannot simply deplete its bounty, but instead we need to develop plans that aim to restore its vibrancy and bring it new life in order for our country to see viable economic growth which will in return improve our standard of living.
“The youth today are the flag bearers of change while serving as a voice for the voiceless, such as the ocean itself. It is with pride that I reflect on the fact that my Ministry has refused to pay lip service to the sustainable management of our ocean space, instead we are gradually translating words into actions. To enhance our effectiveness, we have not only focused on projects with tangible outputs but also on those that would change mindsets and create buy-ins. Hence, we have recently started a nation-wide sensitisation and awareness campaign in all state and private schools. The campaign aims to expand the knowledge of students about the Blue Economy concept in Seychelles, engage students in a participatory process to learn about Blue Economy activities and initiatives at local, regional and international level, and also entice students to take up careers in the Blue Economy sector. I truly believe that the youth can and will be the Ambassadors for the ocean, and will fight on its behalf.
“As we all know, Seychelles is considered as a small island nation. However, we need to focus on the fact that though we are but a dot on the map, we are indeed a large oceanic state. Our most prized possession is our ocean! The water that surrounds us all makes up our identity. Until this day, we are recognised as the champion of the Blue Economy, and this is like the wind to our sails. Our country has the potential to remain the leader in ocean related affairs, and I am content that we have the right
mindset, character and resilience to keep this a reality. The President of Seychelles has recently been named as one of the Patrons of the Ocean Decade Alliance. This brings about more responsibility and visibility at a regional and international level. The Alliance's mandate is to accelerate support for the Ocean Decade through targeted resource mobilisation, networking and influence. Of course, Seychelles
supports such initiatives and aims to be at the forefront of the action.
“My wish for this day is to encourage everyone in Seychelles and abroad to keep
challenging their colleagues at work, school or even their neighbours to make an
individual commitment to a more ocean-friendly lifestyle.
“Let us be reassured that a healthy ocean will benefit us all.
“Happy World Oceans Day!”
Jean-François Ferrari
Minister for Fisheries & the Blue Economy