Ministry of Waterways and Environment permanent secretary Joshua Wycliffe called on the global community to take action and to establish partnerships to address marine litter from the fishing and shipping sectors.
He had called on the global community during the United Nations Environment Programme Assembly that was held in Nairobi, Kenya.
“Fiji is very concerned over the impacts of sea-based marine litter on the marine environment, food security and animal welfare and human health, safety and livelihoods,” he said.
“Marine pollution was a trans-boundary issue that required all relevant agencies globally to abandon working in silos and to come together in supporting communities and industries to take the key sea-based of marine litter, including abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear.”
Mr Wycliffe showcased the strong legislative instruments and the implementation processes Fiji employs in protecting its environment.
He stated how Section 40 of Fiji’s Constitution provides that: “Every Fijian has the right to a clean and healthy environment, which includes the right to have the natural world protected for the benefit of present and future generations through legislative and other measures.”
He laid out of the various Acts and Regulations that governed the protection stance taken by Fiji during the assembly.
He also laid out the unified approach adopted by Fiji through its people, processes and systems, the various resources and capacity endeavor undertaken by the Government of Fiji in protecting its environment.
