United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Sunday (12 August) launched a new initiative to protect the oceans and the people whose livelihoods depend on it, and called on countries to work together to achieve a more sustainable management of this precious resource and address the threats it is currently facing. WORLD BANK / TELEVICIONMALDIVES
World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick announces an international partnership to save the world’s oceans, citing urgent reports of collapsing fisheries and widening 'dead zones’ of marine degradation. WORLD BANK
Marine experts today said that acidification and overfishing are leaving the oceans “in crisis as much as and, in fact, probably more than land.” The State of the Ocean 2011 report released yesterday warns the world’s oceans are at high risk of entering a phase of extinction of marine species unprecedented in human history. UNTV [...]
In a small fishing village in Tunisia, overfishing has destroyed people’s livelihoods. Now fishermen are trying to restore the fish stock and safeguard a way of life that has been passed down through generations. UNTV
While commemorating 'World Oceans Day’ at the United Nations Dr. Sylvia Earle from National Geographic Explorer says that Oceans are vital not just to sea life but “it’s our life support system”. UNTV/ FILE
At a conference this week on saving the world’s fish stocks, experts from the Pew Environment Group warn against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and add that without better conservation and management, fisheries “will crash by 2050″ affecting “three billion people who rely on fish as the primary source of protein.” UNTV / FILE
UN Spokesman Martin Nesirky reads a statement from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voicing serious concern over the recent investigations which found that a navy ship off the coast of the country was hit by a torpedo from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. UNTV
The Security Council unanimously approves a Russian sponsored resolution calling for tougher prosecution of pirates operating off the coast of Somalia. UNTV
The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia meets to discuss ways for more effective and concerted anti-piracy efforts by the international community. Somali Ambassador Elmi Ahmed Duale says he wishes the “costs and human resources” spent on combating piracy could have been diverted to the humanitarian needs of Somalia. UNTV / FILE
The US and other countries sign the “New York Declaration” which will commit countries to promulgating internationally recognized best management practices for the self-protection of vessels on its register, in order to help avoid, deter, or delay pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia. UNTV