ZONAUTARA.com – Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is celebrating Coral Triangle Day 2023, which marks the beginning of the long-term ‘OceansNeedActions’ campaign. The initiative aims to encourage active participation from all stakeholders in the Coral Triangle region to address anthropogenic threats to marine ecosystems, with a focus this year on urgent issues like plastic pollution in the oceans.
CTI-CFF has announced the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) 2.0, a ten-year strategic framework for the period 2021-2030 that outlines the directions, goals, and strategic objectives of the framework. The organization aims to foster a resilient and enabling community to support the most diverse and vital marine resources conservation worldwide.
“RPOA 2.0 was developed through deliberations with all member countries, partners, collaborators, and other relevant stakeholders, and we believe that CTI-CFF will rise to meet the challenges and opportunities in the future and significantly contribute to global targets,” said Dr. Mohd. Kushairi Mohd. Rajuddin, the Executive Director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat.
To support the implementation of RPOA 2.0, CTI-CFF and its member countries and partners have announced the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund. This funding will provide long-term sustainable funding for Marine Conservation and Protection (KKP) areas that benefit the nature and society in the Coral Triangle.
The Coral Triangle Conservation Fund will fill much-needed gaps in resources available to support these vital marine resource conservation efforts which directly support the livelihoods of over 130 million people. Currently in its initial stages, the program has high commitment from the board and has received initial financial support from KfW/European Union and USAID in designing the funding. Coral Triangle Conservation Fund is actively seeking funding for the first round of grants and hopes to be fully operational by 2024.
The Executive Director of the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat expressed enthusiasm for the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund and said, “This initiative will focus its support on the protection, restoration, and transformation of marine conservation areas in the Coral Triangle region. We believe that together we can make a big difference in safeguarding our oceans.”
CTI-CFF urges all countries and coastal communities to take action and push for solutions to address the global issue of plastic pollution in the oceans. CTI-CFF calls on governments to commit to reducing waste production, preventing environmental pollution with waste, and developing innovative waste management solutions.
In the meantime, the government of North Minahasa Regency has announced new regulations aimed at banning single-use plastics in Likupang, one of Indonesia’s super-priority tourist destinations. North Minahasa Regent Joune J. E. Ganda shared his thoughts on this historic milestone and stressed the need for participation in the protection of Coral Triangle marine resources by stopping the consumption of single-use plastics.
“We take significant steps to preserve natural resources and protect the marine environment that we rely on for our fishing industry and, more importantly, for our tourism assets,” said Joune Ganda. Likupang has diverse assets that make it a primary tourist and fishing destination. Its stunning beach is adorned with clean white sandy beaches, live coral reefs, and clear waters packed with diverse marine life.
This strategic location within the Coral Triangle also offers ample opportunities for sustainable fishing, as the region is known for its abundant fish stocks and rapidly growing marine biodiversity. Coral Triangle Day 2023 and the ‘OceansNeedActions’ campaign signify important moments in conservation efforts in the Coral Triangle region.
CTI-CFF hopes to foster collaboration and inspire impactful actions from all stakeholders to combat plastic pollution and help to preserve our ocean ecosystem, which supports us all.