In Savannah, Georgia, USA - Mancham Focusing on the Crisis in the World’s Oceans
SEYCHELLES Founding President, Sir James R. Mancham, at the moment in Savannah, Georgia, USA, attending The Ocean Exchange Conference in his capacity as an Ambassador-at-large for the Exchange, this morning told the press in Savannah that at this conference, he would personally be focusing on the crisis in the world's oceans.
Oceans cover 72% of the world's surface; they absorb half of the CO2 we produce. One billion people rely on fish as their main source of protein, and 200 million for their livelihood. Yet, humankind is ravaging the very ecosystems that provide this precious resource. 
Sir James spoke about the discussions he had at this conference with Lauren Nelson, Project Officer of The Blue Marine Foundation, which has declared its mission is to ensure that at least 10% of the world's oceans are under protection by 2020. "We are bringing about marine regeneration on a massive scale by creating a worldwide network of marine protected areas," Lauren Nelson told Sir James. Sir James himself, avail of the opportunity “to educate". Ms Nelson as to the blue economy concept which Seychelles President James A. Michel has been energetically promoting over recent years.
The Blue Marine Foundation was set up by the team that made the “End of the Line,” a film which brought the world’s attention to the crisis of overfishing. On current trends, by the middle of the century, there will be no fish left in the sea. The consequences are terrifying: millions will die because fish is a staple part of their diet. “The End of the Line” tells the story of how this has happened, who is to blame, and what we all can do about it. Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009, the film has been described by The Economist as “the inconvenient truth of the oceans.”
The Blue Marine Foundation has played a significant role in creating the largest fully protected marine reserve in the world in the Chagos Archipelago, which has doubled the amount of global ocean under protection. At the moment, The Blue Marine Foundation is pioneering an award-winning project in Lime Bay, Dorset, UK, which is bringing together fishermen and conservationists to establish a new model of sustainable fishing. In fact, this year the Blue Marine Foundation spearheaded a campaign which persuaded the UK government to designate the world’s largest marine reserve around Pitcairn Island in the Pacific.
In 2014, The Blue Marine Foundation was named “NGO of the Year” when it won the People’s Environment Achievement Award. Sir James said that he loves the work that Blue Marine is doing and feels that there is much to be gained by the Republic of Seychelles collaborating with the Foundation in order to achieve its own declared objective. “President Michel displayed great vision when matters concerning the blue economy was provided with its own specific ministerial portfolio.” Actually, the Seychelles Minister of Finance, the honorable Jean Paul Adam, has also been designated as the Minister of the Blue Economy.
Source: VIOAS Release
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