National Assembly approves motion on marine pollution by leisure boats |11 July 2019

The National Assembly yesterday unanimously voted in favour of a motion asking the government to adopt strict measures to leisure boats, such as yachts and bare boats, which pollute the sea.

The motion was brought by the elected member for Baie Ste Anne Praslin, Churchill Gill, who remarked that many of these boats dump their rubbish, food and other items into the sea without having to face any repercussions.

Debate on the motion had started during the National Assembly’s July 3 session and was wrapped up yesterday afternoon by interventions from members Audrey Vidot, John Hoareau, Waven William, Jany de Letourdie, François Adelaide, Johan Loze and Norbert Loizeau among others.

All interveners spoke of their concern on the environmental impact of such activities and gave their support to Hon. Gill’s motion.

In his closing statement, Hon. Gill noted that while the country successfully markets itself as a tourism destination, it should also sensitise visitors using leisure boats on how to better treat the country’s environment and marine life.