Recognition grows that the world is one ecosystem<\/p>\n
The Second Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ocean-
\nRelated Ministerial Meeting which concluded over the weekend in
\nBali produced a set of statements aimed at ensuring sustainable
\nmanagement of the ocean, marine environment and its resources in
\nthe Asia Pacific Region. The Jakarta Post's Rita A. Widiadana
\ntalked to meeting co-chairman, Geoff Regan, who is also the
\nCanadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, about the meeting.<\/p>\n
Question: What were the meeting's most significant outcomes?<\/p>\n
Answer: The meeting is a very important part of building
\nglobal momentum for more sustainable fisheries ... ensuring that
\nas we build or rebuild fisheries, we do this in a way that is
\nsustainable to ensure that the capacity we have matches the
\nresources.
\n How important are marine resources to countries in the Asia-
\nPacific Region?<\/p>\n
For the 2.6 billion living in the Asia-Pacific region, the
\noceans and seas provide jobs, prosperity and hope. Participants
\nin the meeting represent economies accounting more than 75
\npercent of the world's captured fish; more than 90 percent of the
\nworld's aquaculture production; and consumers of 70 percent of
\nthe world's fish and seafood products.<\/p>\n
The high demand for marine products has caused overfishing and
\noverexploitation beyond sustainable levels. These are some of the
\nmany reasons why our oceans and coasts deserve the utmost
\nattention and care.<\/p>\n
Have you seen significant progress since the Seoul Oceans
\nDeclaration in 2002?<\/p>\n
In many ways, the first Oceans Ministerial Meeting in Korea
\nmarked a new beginning for our efforts. The meeting's result --
\nthe Seoul Oceans Declaration -- stood as a clear demonstration of
\nthe region's resolve to work together to ensure that the ocean,
\nour coasts and the many industries that rely on them are
\ndeveloped sustainably.<\/p>\n
I do see progress. Many countries are moving forward with
\nOcean Action Plans and things like that. In Canada, we are moving
\ntoward implementing Ocean Acts in a variety of ways and we are
\nparticularly proud of what we have done in designating marine
\nprotected areas (MPAs) in different parts of Canada.<\/p>\n
What's the greatest challenge to enforcing sustainable fishing
\nand ocean management?<\/p>\n
Capacity development is perhaps the key challenge involving
\nthe community. I think practical systems can be helpful and I
\nhope Canada can play a key role, and other economies can also
\nassist developing economies ensure they develop their marine
\neconomies sustainably and based on science and technology.<\/p>\n
We fully understand what a huge challenge is faced by
\nIndonesia in managing its ocean, coastlines, marine resources. It
\nis an enormous challenge of trying to know what is happening.<\/p>\n
However, through this meeting, we also saw the increasing
\nability of countries to gain information. And we see that new
\ntechnology has allowed the cost of observation to come down.<\/p>\n
Is there any solution to illegal, unreported and unregulated
\n(IUU) fishing?<\/p>\n
I see more global interest in trying to find ways to stop
\nthese. Indonesia and Canada are very much aligned as partners in
\ntrying to move the agenda forward. We have very similar views and
\nvery similar interests on this key issue.<\/p>\n
A meeting like this sends a statement to the world that those
\nkinds of practices are no longer acceptable. The meeting helps to
\nput pressure on all economies to enforce the rules; to impose
\nstronger sanctions against those who break the rules.<\/p>\n
Here, we also see a large amount of support, for instance,
\nfrom the United Nations Fish Stock Agreement. I really see a
\nglobal wave of change.<\/p>\n
Is there an effort to reduce the gap in research and
\ntechnology, skills, and human resources between developed and
\ndeveloping economies?<\/p>\n
I think there is a strong commitment. More global support for
\ntechnology transfer; to pass it to developing countries. What we
\nare seeing at a meeting like this is a growing recognition that
\nalthough we talk about many ecosystems, the fact is the world is
\none ecosystem.<\/p>\n
And we have a common interest in ensuring that this ecosystem
\nis our planet.<\/p>\n
It is encouraging to see the growing interest to have
\nmeasurable goals for accountability, to have systems through the
\nworking group we have in APEC on fisheries and marine resource
\nconservation; to have assessments on how are we doing, and to
\nkeep track of the many goals and objectives and to see that the
\nBali Plan of Action is being undertaken. We want to see
\nsubstantial and measurable progress on the Bali Plan of Action
\nover the period between 2006 and 2009.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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