The Department of Environment and Conservation is organising
to launch the Papua New Guinea Marine Programme Strategy (PNGMPS) as a ‘side
event’ coinciding with the upcoming 21st South Pacific Regional Environmental
Programme (SPREP) meeting in Madang, on Friday, September 10, 2010.
The Secretary of Department of Environment &
Conservation, Dr Wari Lea Iamo said: “The Minister of Environment &
Conservation Hon. Benny Allen will officially launch this important five-year
strategic programme (2010-2015), towards the end of the SPREP meeting in Madang
that will commence on September 2.
Dr Wari Iamo |
The overarching purpose of the PNGMPS is to provide a
framework for government, local communities and corporate citizens in
partnership to manage and sustain the capacity of our marine ecosystems and
habitats that support PNG’s growing population.
Dr Iamo revealed that PNG’s average growth rate of 3.5% over
the last 10 years was starting to impose greater demands on our natural marine
resources, especially within the vicinity of urban areas.
“Human population pressure and urbanisation-related
development activities are impacting marine habitats and associated marine
resources over the years, to such an extent that they have been reduced to
rubble littered with anthropogenic wastes (rubbish caused by humans),” Dr Iamo
said.
“The PNG Marine Programme Strategy has been nine months in
the writing, and will provide a plan of action for concerned stakeholders to
work towards in achieving poverty reduction and food security for Papua New
Guineans.
“In addition, the country’s unique marine environment and
unmatched biodiversity presents numerous opportunities for nature based
eco-tourism as well as commercial tourism, augmenting income generation at the
local and international market niches.
“So the marine programme strategy is important, as it will
allow us to monitor and evaluate through the next five years on how we are
managing our marine resources.”
The program will be
updated on an annual basis.
Copies of this document are available from the 4th floor of Somare Foundation
Building , Department of
Environment Conservation or visit the website @ www.dec.gov.pg.
The address to write to for a copy is: Department of Environment & Conservation,
P O Box 6601 ,
BOROKO 111, NCD or call (675) 325 0180.
For email contact: odir@dec.gov.pg
or rrage@dec.gov.pg.
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