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Minister calls for Higher Profile for Environmental Issues

Contact: Claudia Monlouis

A beach area in Saint Lucia

Thursday, June 03, 2004 - A reminder to the nation that the sea is a priceless resource for survival with direct linkages to several important industries in St. Lucia, has been reiterated by Honourable Ferguson John, Minister for Physical Development, Environment and Housing. He further emphasized the need for environmental issues to be accorded a much higher profile by all sectors, so that members of the public can better appreciate the value and significance of coastal waters as a source of environmental sustainability and as a generator of economic activity. The Minister noted that in the local context of economic activity, the sea, beaches and coastal waters should be even more cherished.

“The theme for World Environment Day is “Oceans and seas – Wanted Dead or Alive? This theme has special significance for St. Lucia since many of our economic activities whether they be tourism, fishing or maritime transportation depend directly on the state of our coastal and marine environment.”

The Minister noted that even land based practices, such as littering impacts seriously on coral reefs or bring about a decline in the quantity of fish available to the fishing industry.

“ The debris, waste and sediment that are now strewn along our coastline as a result of the recent unseasonable rains can be attributed to littering and illegal waste disposal, deforestation and poor land use management practices including lack of sediment control measures for construction,” remarked minister John.

In his address marking World Environment Day observed which will be observed on Saturday June 5th, Honourable John also called for environmental management to be seen as a more integral component of sustainable development.

 

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