WWF-Australia today applauded the Australian Government for committing an additional $8 million towards the Coral Triangle Initiative and up to $25 million to the Pacific Oceanscape Framework.
The extra funding, announced by Prime Minister Gillard at the Rio+20 summit, will assist countries across the Asia Pacific to improve the management of their oceans and coast.
WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman said the announcement was a welcome investment in the region.
“Last week’s commitment to a national system of marine protected areas set an important example to the world,” Mr O’Gorman said.
“This further announcement is a serious commitment from Australia to support the goals of the Rio+20 meeting and help re-focus the world’s attention on the health of our oceans, and the need to invest in their conservation.”
“Australia has developed world-class marine science and management expertise over many years and we hope this announcement will enable a greater sharing of that knowledge with our region.
“WWF further hopes that the vital role that the health of marine and coastal ecosystems play in supporting the livelihoods of billions of people around the world and hundreds of millions in our region is recognised strongly in the Rio +20 meeting.”
The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security was formed in 2009 by the six Coral Triangle governments. WWF is one of seven Development Partners that provide ongoing support to the Initiative. Located in the waters off the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, the Coral Triangle is the world’s marine life hotspot. It contains the highest diversity of iridescent corals, fish, crustaceans, molluscs and marine plant species on Earth.
The Pacific Oceanscape Framework aims to protect, manage, maintain and sustain the cultural and natural integrity of the Pacific Islands Ocean Region.
