The authority in South Africa remind that the world’s oceans are under the constant threat of climate change, with water levels rising resulting in an increase in the acidity of the water. It is said that the earth has become volatile and every nation should come forward to halt climate change. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism explained that the World Ocean Day was designated in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, provides people with an opportunity to celebrate the oceans of the world and appreciate the benefits that can be derived from them.
This year the theme of World Ocean Day’s celebration was “Helping Our Climate Helping Our Oceans”, which seeks to draw attention to the growing impact of climate change on oceans. Climate is changing as the water temperatures increase, sea level rises, ocean acidity escalating. It is fact that the world’s oceans cover more than 70 percent of the earth’s surface and are the most productive, yet the most threatened system in the world.
The modern practice of society not only damage marine ecosystems but also depleting ocean and coastal resources fast. The over use of marine resources and accelerated coastal developments are posing huge challenges in ensuring the sustainability of these resources for future generations. The government of South Africa has recently adopted the Integrated Coastal Management Bill, a first for South Africa and the African continent. The Bill has been called far reaching and progressive as it presents a comprehensive national system for planning and managing the country’s valuable coastal areas and resources.
Mava Scott, Department spokesperson, told that over-fishing and destructive fishing practices are threatening important marine resources, fishing livelihoods and economic viabilities of coastal communities. According to him fish stocks are depleting all over the world and at home there is the closure of the commercial abalone fishery sector earlier this year [which] followed rapid decline of the resource due to poaching and ecological changing.
