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Canadian Oceans Stewardship Conference

Partnerships for Living Oceans

June 6-8, 2001, Vancouver, British Columbia

From June 6-8, 2001, Canada hosted the Canadian Oceans Stewardship Conference in Vancouver, B.C., to share ideas on how we can manage the increasing demands being placed on our oceans. Bringing together over 100 national and international delegates representing governments, industry, the academic community and non-governmental organizations, the Conference dealt with many complex oceans management issues, and profited greatly from the participation of experts from Canada and around the world.

As we move into the 21st century, our oceans are under ever-increasing pressure from a wide range of new and traditional ocean activities, such as fishing, shipping, oil and gas development, aquaculture and tourism. With our oceans becoming busier than they have ever been, it is clear that we need to find new ways to manage this growth.

The Conference provided an excellent opportunity for participants from around the world to share experiences and new ideas on balanced, integrated approaches to oceans management. The attached report summarizes the Conference's discussions in a number of key oceans areas, including stewardship, governance and reporting.

Through the discussions, participants confirmed that stewardship must be a fundamental principle of oceans and coastal management, and that the most effective management tools are those based on an integrated, precautionaryapproach. Participants also indicated that in order to meet our sustainable development goals, local and community actions must be supported on both the national and international levels.

My department shares these views, and is incorporating them into the long-term Canadian Oceans Strategy we are developing, which will guide Canada's Oceans Activities in the years ahead.

Canada will also continue to play a leadership role at the global level. As a result of the Conference, we received many positive comments on the leadership shown by Canada in the field of oceans management. Our leadership will be especially important over the coming year, as we look forward to a number of international meetings about the oceans, including the Intergovernmental Review of the Global Programme of Action, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Conference on Oceans and Coastal Management, the APEC Ministerial Conference on Oceans, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

The ideas shared at the Canadian Oceans Stewardship Conference in June will be excellent contributions to the discussions taking place at these multilateral forums, as the nations of the world work together to find the

best ways to manage and protect our oceans in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal P.C., M.P. Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Introduction

     Over 100 national and international delegates participated in the Canadian Oceans Stewardship Conference held in Vancouver from June 6-8, 2001. Represented at the Conference were federal, provincial and territorial governments, Canadian industries, the academic community and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The Conference was divided into three panel sessions, each with a theme: Ocean Stewardship, Governance and Reporting. To structure discussions, key questions were put to Panels, such as: What are effective roles and responsibilities for ocean stewardship?; What are the lessons learned from using various governance models? How to address inadequacies in ocean reporting?

The context for these complex issues was set by opening remarks from the Minister of Fisheries & Oceans Canada, the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, the Minister of Environment, the Honourable David Anderson, the South African Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, Rejoice Masudafhasi, and the Chairman of the Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council, the Honourable John Fraser. Significant contributions to the Panel discussions were made by renowned experts in ocean management from Canada and other countries, including: Canada's two Ocean Ambassadors Geoffery Holland and Arthur Hanson; Ambassador Satya Nandan, Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority; Ian McPhail, Director for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Australia; Charles Ehler, Director of the International Program Office with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and, Elisabeth Mann Borgese from the Canadian National Oceans Institute.

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Conference Session Highlights:
Ocean Stewardship

This session was chaired by Ian McPhail, Executive Director for the Austrailian Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Panel members were: Captain Gordon Houston, President and CEO of the Vancouver Port Authority, (Corporate Stewardship topic); Donna Petrachenko, Regional Director General for the Pacific Region of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Community Stewardship topic); Clifford Atleo of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations (Aboriginal Stewardship topic); and, Viktor Sebek,

Executive Director for the Advisory Committee on Protection of the Seas (NGO Stewardship topic). Among the key points of the session:

• The sectoral approach to ocean management, with its focus on economic gains, set the stage for unchecked exploitation. This often resulted in jurisdictional conflicts over specific ocean resources.
• In moving from a sectoral to an integrated approach to ocean management, new governance structures and partnerships are required to support the environmental, social and economic value of the ocean. The sectoral approach is legally based, focussing on defining rights of access as it relates to resource use and extraction.
• A variety of obligations underscore a truly comprehensive approach to ocean management. Stewardship means a collective responsibility to ensure benefits for all, including future generations. The concept of stewardship goes beyond strictly legal obligations to encompass moral obligations and a sense of responsible care.
• Managing oceans and coasts based on the shared responsibility of stewardship can result in a range of benefits, beyond any one resource or interest, but this in turn demands the engagement of a range of stakeholders. The responsibility for managing oceans can no longer rest solely with government or intergovernmental authorities.
• The corporate world has demonstrated an ocean stewardship role. By adjusting operations, facilities and production methods, the private sector has demonstrated it can meet and often exceed environmental and social objectives, traditionally not part of the corporate mandate.
• It is evident that both the private and public sector can expand their sphere of influence by controlling arrangements with client communities. Both governments and corporations can play an influential role by setting an example and defining standards.
• There is a growing trend toward governments sharing the decision-making process with those most affected by decisions, and those ultimately responsible for employing more sustainable practices.
• An integral ingredient of stewardship is collective decision-making. Increasingly governments are developing shared objectives that balance regulatory requirements with commercial and community expectations. Broader engagemant and shared decision making has spawned a sense of long-term responsibility and commitment for coastal and ocean resources.
• Flexible laws and innovative policy frameworks are required to share management authority with an expanded set of stakeholders. There are encouraging examples of co-management arrangements, particularly with communities. Global objectives often have to be applied at the local level and therefore, community stewardship is an essential component for the sustainable development of the ocean environment.
• Environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) also have a special role in ensuring the sustainable development of the oceans. ENGOs have the ability to identify problems, represent community interests, analyze the impediments to sustainable development and advocate solutions at an influential level. ENGOs have proven to be effective ocean stewards by triggering and facilitating governmental action and providing an important accountability function.
• Ocean stewardship is a powerful coalition of governments, industry and communities and means a sharing of benefits, responsibility and authority. Creating partnerships and forging agreements on a common vision and commitment will be key to effective stewardship, which in turn supports long-term sustainability of coastal and ocean resources. The governance and institutional arrangements for oceans management should be based on the stewardship ethic.

Conference Session Highlights:
Ocean Governance Session

This session was chaired by Satya Nandan, Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority. Panel members were: Elisabeth Mann Borgese from the Canadian National Ocean Institute (Global Governance Mechanisms topic); Veerle Vandeweerd from the Global Programe of Action Coordination Office (Regional Governance Mechanisms topic); Ian McPhail from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife

It is important to remember that flexibility is an important element in using these models so that national and regional circumstances are taken into consideration. Sharing experiences and lessons learned based on the use of these models will help improve their effectiveness.

• Ocean stakeholders range from individuals to countries. Since integrated management requires shared decision making, it is imperative that communities and countries alike have the capacity to effectively contribute to this decision making.
• There is a need to capture the full range of stakeholders and support active engagement of freshwater and catchment management authorities, international financial institutions and the private sector.
• Pilot projects would be an effective way of demonstrating how integrated management can be applied, particularly at the regional level.

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Conference Highlights:
State of the Oceans Reporting Session

This session was chaired by Charles Ehler, Director of the International Program Office with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Panel members were: Rick Boelens from the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (State of the Oceans topic); Geoffrey Holland, Canadian Oceans Ambassador (Oceans Reporting topic); Arthur Hanson, Canadian Oceans Ambassador (Sustainable Development Reporting topic); and Steve Montague from the Performance Management Network (Performance/Progress Measurements topic). Charles Ehler, Director, International Program Office,
US National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• Integrated management decisions must be based on engagement from the full range of stakeholders and decision-makers and needs to be applied both from the 'bottom up' and from the 'top down'.
• Clustering of ocean conventions and agreements could serve as a useful integrating mechanism in the intergovernmental arena.
• Integrated management can address sustainable development objectives and sectors and governments must be committed to this approach. This commitment can be reinforced through better communication of successful integrated ocean management initiatives.
• Community groups, NGOs and the private sector are increasingly involved in international fora and are taking on stronger roles for implementation. This kind of participation needs to be further encouraged at all levels.
• Countries that border on common sea areas have a strong interest in cooperation and usually have a common concern for the well-being of their shared ocean resources. For this reason, the regional level is an effective unit for implementing integrated ocean management. It is recognized that the Global Plan of Action and the Regional Seas Programme are designed on the premise of >integration, collaboration and cooperation and should be used as key management mechanisms.
• The importance of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process for supporting an integrated approach to oceans should be used to the fullest to improve cooperation and coordination among the various UN agencies and processes with oceans interests.
• There are a variety of models and approaches for integrated management that include various legislative, policy and implementation mechanisms.

It is important to remember that flexibility is an important element in using these models so that national and regional circumstances are taken into consideration. Sharing experiences and lessons learned based on the use of these models will help improve their effectiveness.

• Ocean stakeholders range from individuals to countries. Since integrated management requires shared decision making, it is imperative that communities and countries alike have the capacity to effectively contribute to this decision making.
• There is a need to capture the full range of stakeholders and support active engagement of freshwater and catchment management authorities, international financial institutions and the private sector.
• Pilot projects would be an effective way of demonstrating how integrated management can be applied, particularly at the regional level.

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Conference Highlights:
State of the Oceans Reporting Session

This session was chaired by Charles Ehler, Director of the International Program Office with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Panel members were: Rick Boelens from the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (State of the Oceans topic); Geoffrey Holland, Canadian Oceans Ambassador (Oceans Reporting topic); Arthur Hanson, Canadian Oceans Ambassador (Sustainable Development Reporting topic); and Steve Montague from the Performance Management Network (Performance/Progress Measurements topic).

• Ocean reporting is an integral part of achieving sustainable development of the oceans. The information provided by reporting makes business and government more accountable by measuring progress toward sustainable development goals, informing decision-making (such as setting management objectives), improving public awareness, and helping assess performance. Further, ocean reporting helps fulfil an increasing number of national and international reporting requirements for oceans.
• Recent reviews of ocean health have revealed a serious decline in fish stocks, habitat alteration and the destruction and significant loss of wetlands. Other trends show reduced water quality, and sewage and chemical contamination that have had profound environmental, social and economic impacts. It has been determined that the international community has the greatest ability to address the key problem areas of physical alteration and sewage contamination.
• Consideration of and support for efforts to deal with the root causes of ocean degradation must involve connections to poverty, poorly managed social and economic systems, and unsustainable consumption patterns.
• It is evident that there are many weaknesses in the current ad hoc system of reporting. The major limitations are related to a lack of comparable data, continuity, meaningful indicators, commitment to monitoring, timeliness, and a lack of financial and human resources.
• Ways in which the basic deficiencies of ocean reporting could be addressed include: establishing a legislative framework for reporting that requires a thorough but timely reporting process based on standardized and meaningful indicators; delegating responsibility for collecting data to the most appropriate level (usually the sub-national); establishing baseline data to be followed by regular monitoring; managing and reviewing data by a multidisciplinary scientific team; ensuring there is a readiness to make judgements despite uncertainties (i.e. precautionary approach); and, supplying sufficient resources to conduct and complete assessments in a short and regular time frame. Capacity building and the sharing of technology are key requirements to support reporting.
• A major impediment to ocean reporting is a general lack of political will and commitment to reporting. Too often there is a lack of recognition that natural systems have a higher economic value than one time commercial developments. Accordingly, there must be some form of mandatory requirement for monitoring and reporting, and the information must be clearly science based.
• Given the complexity of oceans and a general lack of capacity globally, the design of reporting systems is critical. Information gathering systems must ensure that: the right questions are asked; structured carefully to produce the results needed; and performance is measured in a targeted, strategic fashion.
• An effective way forward for reporting includes greater collaboration among existing global instruments and initiatives such as the London Convention on Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes, the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) and the Global Ocean Observation System (GOOS). In addition, developing a global convention or agreement that provides a framework for ocean reporting would be beneficial. Such an instrument could standardize monitoring and reporting, outline mechanisms for collaboration and support capacity building. The framework would have to be flexible so as to accommodate a range of capacities, support partnering arrangements with communities and the private sector, and maintain political commitment through a requirement to report to a high level intergovernmental body, such as the UN.

Conclusion

It was understood that the oceans' ecosystems are coming under increasing pressure. In order to effectively manage ocean and coastal resources, new integrated governance mechanisms must be employed. Another key conclusion was that the shift from sectoral to integrated management has occurred, and that now is the time to more broadly put theory into action. Participants pointed to a growing list of successful governance mechanisms as useful examples of effective and sustainable oceans and coastal management.

The challenge that now faces the intergovernmental community is how to best and more broadly apply the lessons learned at the local and national level. As the global commons, oceans demand cooperation, compliance and commitment. In turn, these essential elements of engagement depend on a greater effort towards capacity building and technology transfer. Participants felt that regional organization represented the most promising and effective level for intergovernmental cooperation and further that the priority action for cooperation and collaboration should be ocean reporting. Reporting is the basic tool to determine progress towards a healthy ocean environment and achieving sustainable development.

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Concluding Remarks

Colleagues, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen.
It's a great pleasure to join you here in Vancouver - in person, this time.
I understand it's been an exceptionally productive conference, and I know you'll all be
leaving with a lot to think about as you make your way home. Let me also thank you
for sharing your expertise and experience. The results of this conference will help
Canada encourage greater public awareness and support for oceans issues. They will
also help Canada strengthen our "oceans message" as we get ready for the World
Summit on Sustainable Development.

As you know, today is World Oceans Day - the day we pay tribute to the important role oceans play in our lives. Across Canada, even those living far away from any coast, we're celebrating with a number of events to raise awareness of the fragile state our oceans are in - and, more importantly, what we can do to help.

It's quite fitting, therefore, that this conference ends on Oceans Day. Over the past few days, you've heard from a wide range of oceans perspectives. Environmental groups. Aboriginal groups. Scientists. Governments. And, of course, our international guests.

You've heard a lot about our oceans obligations. Our oceans challenges. And our oceans opportunities.

Indeed, oceans give life. They make it possible. From giant tube worms deep in the Endeavour Hot Vents, to the creatures found in the most arid and remote deserts. Oceans determine our climate and our weather. And they help feed the world's multitudes.

The world's oceans also sustain our national economies. Here in Canada, our oceans industries annually generate nearly $20 billion in output. They employ nearly 145,000 Canadians.

But more than that - more than jobs, more than the essential economic role that oceans play - our oceans help define us as a people. They live at the core of our national character.

We are an ocean nation. Not just because Canada is delineated by the longest coastline in the world - and not just because we border on not two, but three great oceans. But because so much of Canada's story is a story of people attracted by the oceans - and communities built and sustained by them.

The very culture of our most unique Canadian communities are fundamentally linked to our oceans. From the Haida here on the West Coast. To the Acadians on the East. To the Inuit in the Arctic.

We need the oceans. We depend on them for our lives. Our livelihoods. And our cultures.

But not all the news about our oceans is good.

Canada's and the world's seas are in trouble. Overfishing. Declining stocks. Fragile habitats being destroyed. In some cases, our seas are being poisoned. We're seeing outdated municipal wastewater infrastructure pumping raw sewage into our seas each day. And if our seas are being polluted, what kind of effects is this having on us?

Canadians are telling us that we must act. Fully 90 per cent said in a recent poll that Canada must do more to prevent ocean pollution.

Let me tell you - when nine out of ten Canadians tell you to do something, you better listen.

And the Government of Canada has listened. I'll be making a few announcements shortly that prove it.

Since becoming Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, my department has worked hard to meet our oceans challenges, and work closely with Canadians to give them the oceans heritage they expect - and deserve.

What really got the ball rolling was the adoption of the Oceans Act in 1997. In doing so, Canada became the first nation in the world to have such an act.

The Act does many things.

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It gives us a blueprint for managing the relationship between our land and our seas.

It gives us the legal and regulatory tools we need to make our commitment to healthy oceans a reality.

And it establishes the principles by which we must manage our oceans. Principles like partnership. Cooperation. And making room for Canadians to be heard - coastal communities, NGOs, Aboriginal groups, industry, and governments.

For me, this last point - the integrated management of our oceans - is especially important. The days are gone when governments simply told people how their oceans would be managed. In this new oceans era, all perspectives are encouraged to weigh in.

We want to hear from communities. We want to hear from industry. We want to hear from environmental groups, Aboriginal communities, and anyone else with something to contribute to the dialogue.

We sometimes think of these interests as potentially being at odds with one another. This is misleading. This is wrong. Oceans industries have as much a vested interest in preserving our oceans heritage as NGOs, Aboriginal groups, and communities do. They too have a responsibility to contribute to oceans
management solutions.

Since becoming Minister, this is the balance I've wanted to strike - to create economic opportunity for Canadians through the inclusive, responsible and forward-thinking management of our marine environment.

I'm talking, of course, about sustainable development - or promoting a kind of oceans use that thrives on the responsible management of our oceans. We want to set the right environment for our oceans industries to grow, while protecting our oceans for future generations.

In the past, we saw these two ideas as being at odds.

Those days, ladies and gentlemen, are gone.

And our actions speak for themselves.

We've joined forces with communities, industry, and other stakeholders on all three coasts to initiate 18 integrated management planning initiatives in coastal and marine areas.

I established the Ministers' Advisory Council on Oceans, to provide me with expert advice as we find ways to benefit from and protect our oceans in the years ahead. In fact, I'll be meeting with them again later this afternoon to discuss our progress so far.

We're continuing to work closely with communities and others to identify and establish marine protected areas, or MPAs. MPA status gives these areas special protection for the marine life that inhabit them, while giving scientists and others the opportunity to better understand our marine ecosystems. As I mentioned on Wednesday, Race Rocks - just off the coast here - became the first site to be put forward for designation
as an MPA last year.

Also close to home, there are a set of ancient living sponge reefs dating back to the Jurassic period that are found nowhere else in the world. Recent evidence suggests that fishing activity may be having a negative impact on some reef areas, and raising some serious conservation concerns.

While the fishing industry has voluntarily avoided these areas, it's clear that more protection is required. To meet this goal, I've instructed my officials to work closely with industry to ensure protection in the short term, conduct scientific research in the mid-term, and look at designating this site as an MPA in the longterm.

And we're working towards the development of a Canadian Oceans Strategy - a long-term plan that will complement the Oceans Act, help us increase stakeholder involvement in the decision-making process, and ensure a healthy oceans heritage for our children.

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But this commitment to succeed isn't confined within our borders. Water and sea life know no borders. The oceans belong to the world. And it is as a global community that we must protect them, and develop their resources.

Canada, I can tell you, is committed to a global approach. That's why I'm particularly proud of the leadership we've shown in ratifying and promoting the United Nations Fish Agreement, or UNFA - a high priority for me, as Minister, from the start.

The Global Plan of Action, or GPA, is another good example. As you know, the GPA encourages States to develop regional and national initiatives to prevent, reduce and control land-based activities that degrade the marine environment. And one year ago, Canada became the first country in the world to develop its own National Program of Action that has - by bringing communities and different levels of government closer together - already borne fruit. We'll be hosting the Intergovernmental Review of the GPA Conference in Montreal this November.

Indeed, all of this progress is proof positive that by working together - nationally and globally - we can accomplish great things.

And we're showing no signs of slowing down. I'm very pleased to use this opportunity to make some announcements that will further our oceans cause.

As I said earlier, in Canada - and around the world - there is a growing recognition that marine protected areas have a critical role to play in conserving and protecting some of our most unique and fragile marine life and habitats.

And 250 kilometres southwest of here - over two kilometres below the sea's surface - is just such a place. The Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge system is a fascinating place, where the intense tectonic activity has created large, black, chimney-like hydrothermal vents - home to some unique and even undiscovered species.

And today, I'm pleased to announce that this special place has been put forward for designation as an MPA under the Oceans Act. Endeavour - and, by extension, the stunning variety of unique aquatic creatures that live there - will now be provided with a
comprehensive level of protection and conservation.

But, as you know, we face conservation challenges in Atlantic Canada, too. So my next announcement takes us to the other side of the country.

On the north east coast of Newfoundland, some 85 kilometres from Grand Falls, is the town of Leading Tickles. Located on Notre Dame Bay, this rugged and beautiful area is home to a wide range of marine diversity. Groundfish, pelagic fish, shellfish, marine
mammals and aquatic plants all call this special place their home.

And today, we're taking action to protect this special place. I'm pleased to announce that Leading Tickles has been identified as an Area of Interest to become an MPA under the Oceans Act.

Both of these announcements are excellent examples of integrated management in action. Each involved the direct input of a wide range of stakeholders. Governments. Scientists. Fishermen. Environmental organizations. And a host of others. Each group lent their voice to remind us that these areas are - quite simply - too special not to be protected.

The results are clear.

Endeavour and Leading Tickles are coming out as the clear winners today. As I said earlier, it is our collective responsibility to protect those resources and habitats that need specialized care. Places like Endeavour, where we're protecting a unique ecosystem - or like Leading Tickles, where we're protecting and enhancing a valuable commercial fishing resource. We still have a lot we want to do. And we have to join forces to do it. So let's roll up our sleeves and work together to protect and enhance these and other special areas.

And co-operation also figures prominently in my third announcement today.

Last September, I joined the Minister of Industry to announce $1.14 million in funding for Canada's Ocean Management National Research Network Initiative. It's a program that will lead Canada's research efforts on oceans management, and provide a forum for stakeholders and researchers in a range of disciplines to share ideas on how to develop sustainable oceans management practices.

Our goal with the initiative is simple - to make Canada a world leader in sustainable oceans management.

And today, we're taking the next step.

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I'm pleased to join my colleague, Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry - who is in St. John's also making this announcement - to announce that three new research teams and a national secretariat are being established for the Network. The three teams will examine integrated management, sustainability, and how best to link science with local knowledge.

It's truly a national initiative. The National Secretariat is to be located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the Gorsebrook Research Institute of Saint Mary's University. The three research teams are located at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Memorial University in St. John's, and right here at Simon Fraser University.

Clearly, our oceans are becoming an important national research priority. This initiative proves it. I'd like to congratulate each of the teams, and wish them the best of luck.

Ladies and gentlemen, these announcements prove that Canada is taking its oceans responsibilities seriously. We're identifying the needs. And, more importantly, we're taking action.

Times have changed for our oceans. We still rely on them for our livelihoods, our communities, and the strength of our economy. But now, at the dawn of the 21st century, our oceans need us. More than ever, they need our commitment. They need our ideas. And, most of all, they need our co-operation.

Indeed, good ocean stewardship demands that we share collective responsibility for the health of our oceans - as governments, as citizens, as scientists, and business people, as nations. As I said earlier, the days are gone when the government simply told Canadians how their oceans would be managed. In this new oceans era, we want to know what Canadians think about how our oceans are managed. And we want to know what they can contribute to the solution.

Because we need to recognize that no matter which side of the spectrum we're on - the public or academic or private sector - our goals are ultimately the same. To ensure that future generations are able to benefit from our oceans as we have. And to leave the oceans richer than we found them.

We've done much to prove our commitment to our shared oceans heritage. And we're seeing some great results.

We're moving forward on the promise of our Oceans Act, which is giving us the tools we need to make some lasting differences in our oceans. We're protecting the oceans' special places, like Race Rocks, Endeavour and Leading Tickles. And we're working with our partners to deepen our understanding of our oceans - both at conferences like this, and through initiatives like the Ocean Management National Research Network.

The challenge is still great. And much work remains to be done.

This is only the beginning and I strongly believe that this has been a very positive and productive conference and I know there were a number of conferences planned, leading up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and I would like to announce today our intention to host another international oceans conference to follow up on the World Summit on Sustainable Development to ensure that there is ongoing action on oceans issues.

I'm confident that - by continuing to work together in forums just like this - we can strengthen the oceans heritage we pass on to our children.

If we do it right, it will be a gift that will last forever.

Thank you.