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)