TIM eMagazine Vol . 2 Issue 3
Protecting Fiji ’ s marine environment
F iji will be better able to identify areas of the sea which are at risk and protect them , thanks to a workshop held in Suva , Fiji ( 30 May – 1 June )
The event raised awareness and improved technical knowledge of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas ( PSSAs ) among officials and other stakeholders in Fiji who may be involved in preparing to submit PSSA proposals in Fiji to IMO ’ s Marine Environment Protection Committee .
IMO ’ s Edward Kleverlaan highlighted that PSSAs are similar to marine protected areas – essentially areas that need special protection through action by the International Maritime Organisation ( IMO ) because of their significance for recognised ecological , socioeconomic or scientific reasons . The PSSA scheme fits perfectly within the objective of the Sustainable Development Goal 14 , the so-called ‘ Ocean Goal ’ of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda .
Mr Kleverlaan also added that the event was very timely as Fiji prepares to co-host , with Sweden , the Ocean Conference at the UN General Assembly , where progress towards delivering on the SDG 14 has been made ( 5-9 June 2017 ).
Co-organized by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and the Office for the London Convention / Protocol and Ocean Affairs , IMO , the event was attended by more than 30 participants from various Fijian agencies and organizations . Reference : imo . org
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