An emotional message from Tui Macuata, Ratu Williame Katonivere on protecting our reef system was the highlight of COP 25 in Spain this morning.
While Ratu Williame was not present, his recorded message on the Great Sea Reef, at a World Wildlife Fund event was backed up by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
The reef runs for over 200km from the north eastern tip of Udu point in Vanua Levu.
Bainimarama says with the The Great Sea Reef, locally known as Cakaulevu being the world’s third longest continuous barrier reef system something most around the world were unaware of.
“We in Fiji are keenly aware of the Great Sea Reef and of its vital importance to the way we live, what we eat and how we protect ourselves from natural disasters. But I say natural disaster with some diversion. I personally have a hard time seeing what is natural about the record breaking cyclones devastating local communities and economies.”
The Prime Minister adding humans were responsible for the destruction of our reef systems.
“It is the human kind that is to be blamed for the climate emergency that is ravaging our reefs with super storms and mass bleaching. Compounding this destruction are flows of waste and plastic pollution, choking our waterways, destructive over fishing and other abuses of ocean resources.”
Reports say covering less than 0.1 percent of the seabed, coral reefs support about 25 percent of global marine life.
But man made factors including rising water temperatures caused by climate change, ocean acidification, and destructive fishing practices have led to the demise of many of the world’s coral reefs.
