Dr Anjani Ganase urges leaders and influential sectors in the society to consider the health of our ocean backyards. Connect the dots, she says, there is an urgent need to link land-based lifestyles with the life of the ocean, indeed the life of the planet.
The Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is upon us: will we use it to stem the degradation and revitalise the planet’s most precious resource? Unesco has outlined a roadmap to improve the health of the ocean and to manage resources sustainably. Major challenges include understanding how marine pollutants impact ocean systems in order to mitigate impact, conserve marine biodiversity, and harvest the ocean sustainably to ensure food security. Further, could we build the capacity of ocean-dependent states to address societal issues through ocean awareness? For the Caribbean, we need to build community resilience and disaster management with the use of early-warning systems against hurricanes, tsunamis and even sargassum. Above all the Ocean Decade must change the relationship of humanity with the ocean to one that is respectful, responsible and sustainable.
Small islands and the ocean
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados refers to Caribbean island states as large ocean nations with more than 90 per cent of each national jurisdiction being made up of ocean territory. Yet, how much do we actually know about our ocean backyards? Students and adults alike are always shocked to find out that our economic exclusion zones might be 15 times the size of the land mass. The relationship of our peoples with the sea is only a few hundred years old.
[caption id="attachment_1016598" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Sargassum in Englishman’s Bay. - Anjani Ganase[/caption]
Most of us were brought here during the age of colonisation from countries that resided on large continents. Very quickly, we adapted the models from land to ocean industrialisation and capitalisation, over 100 years now moving exploration (oil and gas) into the sea. We’ve been exploiting our oceans before we actually understand what exists below the surface. To this day, the dialogue of our leaders continues to reflect this one-sided relationship, despite the growing realisation that collapsing ocean habitats affect job and food security, and contribute to health and welfare issues, and crime not only in coastal and marine communities.
National education and ocean literacy
Ocean literacy refers to understanding how the ocean works, its natural ecology and our influences on this ecology. Islanders should understand their ocean backyards as a way of living and observing what is part of our culture. It must be in the forefront of our minds when we consider personal or property safety – building near the coast, venturing out on a boat. When we consider business ventures – where are raw materials coming from, fish stocks. And when we consider our waste – will what I put down the drain affect the fish we eat? We must connect the dots and go back to the fundamental education
