A Marine Activist Calls for Greater Protection of the Ocean
Montserrat joined the OECS and the global community in support of healthy oceans on Tuesday, World Oceans Day.
The day was observed, under the theme "Our Oceans, Our Future" with the main focus on preventing plastic pollution and cleaning the ocean of marine litter.
The ocean covers over 70% of the planet, and according to the United Nations it supports humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth.
The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, it is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world.
Not to mention, the ocean is key to economies with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.
Environmentalist Veta Wade was asked on Sky-News on Tuesday, what were the biggest threats to the oceans.
Veta Wade.
The UN says with 90% of big fish populations depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, people are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished.