Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Semi Koroilavesau officially welcomed the Race for Water catamaran in Denarau, Nadi and has reiterated the Fijian Government's commitment to combatting plastic and ocean pollution.
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The vessel is into two years of a 5-year international expedition by the Race for Water Foundation and during its stopover in Fiji, will hold activities to promote oceanic preservation, including workshops for Fijian Government officials and other personnel to introduce energy solutions by French engineering company, Evaluation Technologique, Ingénierie et Applications (ETIA).
" The ocean and its resources have sustained the past generation, the present and we hope that these innovative activities would harnesses collaboration which will ensure that we continue to sustain the ocean and its resources for the future generation," Minister Koroilavesau stated.
" To be frank, for far too long, dependents of the ocean like Fiji have sat in the periphery of dialogues and discussions focused on the oceans and the threat of plastic pollution. The reality is that, Fiji and others alike should be at the heart of these activities. Given that throughout the region our very lives depend on the ocean and its resources. After all, we, the people of the Pacific, are large oceanic states and the role of the ocean in our everyday lives is unquestionable."
He noted that Race for Water aligned to Fiji's priorities, with the Government leading several international platforms on ocean conservation.
Scientific research and findings from missions recently carried out by local scientist, Andrew Paris will be presented at the University of the South Pacific alongside Race for Water Odyssey Projects on January 15 in Suva.