AIPO to save marine resources

AIPO to save marine resources

JAKARTA (JP): Parliamentarians from member countries of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are deliberating
on a proposal to urge the creation of an agreement on
safeguarding the marine environment and the establishment of a
center for marine studies.

These proposals are being aired during a two-day meeting of
the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization (AIPO) Study Committee
on Marine Resources which began here yesterday.

ASEAN is a socio-economic grouping which comprises Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Some 25 parliamentarians from five ASEAN states are attending
except Brunei, which does not have a parliament.

The participants are contemplating an Indonesian proposal for
the creation of an ASEAN marine center to manage marine and
coastal areas in a more integrated manner.

"It is high time for us to formulate an understanding on
marine resources to be able to cooperate in this particular
field," said Indonesia's House speaker, Wahono, at yesterday's
opening ceremony.

AIPO president, Tan Shoo Khoon of Singapore, noted the
importance of addressing these environmental concerns at
national, regional and international levels.

Describing the marine environment as "ASEAN heritage," he said
that the region constituted about 11 percent of the global supply
of marine products.

"Yet many of the major near-shore fishing areas are over-
fished and polluted from land based sources of pollution and oil
spills, while coral reefs are being degraded and require
rehabilitation," said Tan, who is Singapore's House speaker.

If adopted, the proposals will be presented at the 16th AIPO
next September in Singapore.

Much of the draft proposal deals with balancing the
exploitation of marine resources as an economic asset with its
preservation for future generations.

As Tan remarked, "The utmost challenge ahead for all of us is
to balance economic growth priorities and environmental
responsibilities." (mds)