LISBON, PORTUGAL, June 28, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- • Global leaders came together to advance ocean protection and sustainable ocean management
• Fully protecting at least 30% of the oceans in spaces where no extractive activity can take place is critical to keeping oceans healthy and functional for economic development, climate regulation, and protection of ocean ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves, and the deep sea.
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) have placed a global target on protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Currently, only 2.7% of the world’s oceans are fully protected. Individual nations must take urgent action to reach this collective target.
• Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum roundtable is hosted by Ted Waitt, Founder and Chairman of the Waitt Institute and the Blue Prosperity Coalition

Today, the inaugural Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum took place on the first day of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon. The forum provides a platform to bring together island nations from around the world who are working to sustainably manage their marine resources to promote economic growth, social inclusion, and the preservation and improvement of livelihoods while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability of the oceans and coastal waters.

The global ocean economy is estimated at $24 Trillion USD, and ocean health is critically important for climate regulation and food security, yet ocean resources are declining rapidly worldwide - bombarded with human-imposed threats like overfishing, pollution and climate change. Scientific research shows that fully protecting at least 30% of the world’s ocean is necessary to maintain and restore marine resources while maximizing fisheries yields and allowing for sustainable economic growth.

The inaugural Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum was attended by leaders from This Forum will be ongoing to provide a platform for knowledge exchange. The goals of the inaugural forum were:
1. Build an impact network of like-minded ocean leaders
2. Learn from and share success
3. Explore how to build BPC Network ands cross-partnership

Commenting after the event Ted Waitt Blue Prosperity Coalition and Waitt Institute Founder and Chairman said:
“It is so encouraging to feel the energy in the room from these global leaders who are pioneering solutions that impact the challenges facing the world’s oceans. We are at a critical point in time where we have only a few years left to protect ocean ecosystems before it’s too late. This collaborative impact network gives the tools and resources to ensure that we can keep the oceans healthy and productive for coming generations. Ultimately our goal is to ensure that people all around the world are empowered to take action to preserve and utilize their resources.”

Amongst the leaders it was discussed that they are all facing similar challenges and this forum will allow them to share challenges and successes so that they can learn from one another and streamline their work to be able to reach the global 2030 target.

The Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum will continue with ongoing meetings of like minded leaders in order to support the UN’s goal of protecting 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. Leaders from the Azores, Bermuda, Cabo Verde, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa and Tonga will continue to share information, drive change and inspire future generations. The Blue Prosperity Coalition’s network of ocean experts will continue to support these leaders in developing and implementing sustainable ocean management plans to protect the environment and improve the economy at the same time.

The Blue Prosperity programs include Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to achieve comprehensive ocean management that include a network of Marine Protected Areas that will be determined by stakeholder groups and community consultations. They will also often involve scientific expeditions and collecting, collating, and sharing existing knowledge and information about an island’s marine environment. A core focus of each program is Blue Economy (BE) Planning to promote economic growth and diversification, social inclusion, and the preservation or improvement of livelihoods while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability of the oceans and coastal areas. The plans will develop sustainable fisheries strategies to safeguard long-term, viable ocean production, including a plan that supports local food security, fishery livelihoods, economic well-being, and ocean ecosystem health through a process that includes fishers, government, academic and other institutions.

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Media Enquiries/Images: press@waittinstitute.org

Attendees of the inaugural Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum:
Ted Waitt, - Founder and Chairman
Waitt Institute and Blue Prosperity Coalition

Dr. Kathryn Mengerink
Executive Director Waitt Institute

Hon. Minister Shauna Aminath
Republic of the Maldives

Jauza Khaleel
Senior Associate Economic Policy and Research,
Republic of the Maldives

Hon Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku
Kingdom of Tonga

Dr. Tuikolongahau Halafihi
CEO of Ministry of Fisheries
Kingdom of Tonga

Hon. Minister Walter Roban
Minister of Home Affairs
Bermuda

Dr. Tammy Warren,
Senior Marine Resources Officer
Bermuda

H.E. Abraão Vicente,
Minister of Sea
Cabo Verde

Malik Lopes,
President IMar
Cabo Verde

Mr. José Soares dos Santos
Founder, Oceano Azul Foundation

Dr. Emanuel Gonçalves
Chief Scientist, Oceano Azul Foundation

Mr. Taholo Kami
Ocean Convener

José Manuel Bolieiro
Hon President ,
The Azores

Mr. Ricardo Madruga da Costa
Chief of Staff,
The Azores

Mr. Chuck Fox
Executive Director, Ocean 5

Danita Strickland
Marine Programme Manager
Conservation International, Samoa

Shayna Brody
Waitt Institute
+1 719-229-5237
sbrody@waittinstitute.org