Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture Zaha Waheed has assured to strengthen the policies to protect the marine habitats and to promote the sustainable utilisation of marine habitat.
Addressing the ceremony held to mark the World Oceans Day, Fisheries Minister Zaha Waheed described the impurity of oceans as a threat to marine habitat. Noting the negative outcome of plastic waste dumped into the ocean is directly affects the humans, the minister called to immediately stop all harmful practices. She described dumping plastic waste to the ocean as releasing harmful venom to the ocean, appealing to vision the damages it may cause.
Furthermore, expressing the importance of protecting the marine habitat, the fisheries minister stated the ocean is directly connected to the natural environment and lifestyle of Maldives. Minister Zaha urged to immediately cease all actions which may damage the ocean. In this regard, she assured to work towards strengthening policies to protect and promote the sustainable use of marine habitat.
During the ceremony, a testimonial pledging to refrain from dumping waste to ocean from fishing vessels was presented to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Appreciating the initiation by the vessels, the fisheries minister expressed hope the fishermen will abide and maintain the pledge.