Number of words: 1173

Topics Question:

An example of an ocean resource(coral reefs) in your

community critically discuss current or future issues
related to its exploitation/development and how these
issues are perceived regionally or by members of the
local community, including yourself.
According to Gleick (1993), “Earth is made up of about 71% of water which makes the
oceans hold about 96.5% of earth’s water”. Pacific oceans are considered one of the largest
oceanic divisions of earth which shelters many living and non-living organisms. The Pacific
Ocean is said to linking various different island groups of which Fiji islands is one of. This
write-up shall discuss about a depleting ocean resource that is located in Fiji islands oceans
which is the coral reefs. The coral reefs can be defined as a habitat to those organisms that
reside in the marine.

Moreover, the reefs are playing its part well however we residents don’t understand our
roles in protecting the reefs from danger. To attract more tourism and building
infrastructures, we attempt to destroy the beautiful gift of nature. To promote Fijis
developing stage the residents attempt to destroy the coral reefs in various ways. One of
which includes destroying the coral and making cement out of it to make either buildings
locally or either for export purposes. I personally have seen this act taking place where
people (sailors) would go to the ocean and bring back coral in large amounts to make some
processed materials or exporting the Fiji corals to other countries for economic benefit.
Another way the coral reef is being destroyed is by uncontrolled fishing of marine organisms
by people. Uncontrolled fishing can also lead to fishing of under-sized marines which can
lead the organisms in becoming endangered.

Additionally, reefs are also protected by the mangrove plants which are also cut by the
people as their mentality restricts to beautifying the sea sights so that tourism can be
attracted however people don’t understand the fact that if the nature destroys our country
through its wrath which can be natural disasters and through climate change then the
beautification will not take us anywhere. To add on, the most hideous way of coral reef
destruction is through pollution. Pollution to my understanding is a dangerous poison that
we ourselves mix in the environment we live in which leads to a painful slow death of us in
future. Untreated sewage, garbage, fertilizers, pesticides, industrial chemicals, plastics and
many more pollutants from the land make their way into the ocean, either being
deliberately dumped or unintentionally this pollution is harming the entire marine food
chain including the humans.
Furthermore, there are various interest groups that are formed within the country and also
internationally to safeguard the marine resources for the future. Both types of interest
groups try to educate the people about the importance of the ocean resources in our lives.
One of the interest groups can be said to be the ministry of fisheries and forestry’s that
looks into the matters of how we can save the marine for good. They try to implement
policies that may protect the reef from harm such as undersized fishing being banned and
also fishing of specific marines being banned and legal actions enforced on people who do
not abide by the laws. Not only this but also some nationals and international organisations
try campaigning to let people aware of the risks associated with destruction of the coral
reefs and mangrove whereby they also are now organising replantation of mangroves to
improve the national disaster security methods.

Likewise, these steps taken by the interest groups will not only save the oceanic heritage
but will benefit us in long term by saving the lives of the residents as well from disasters and
diseases. According to Dr Earle (2012), "It is the worst of times but it is the best of times
because we still have a chance”. Another campaigning methods organised nowadays is the
clean-up campaigns whereby the shores are cleaned by the members of the local residents
so that we can at least play our small part in saving the future of Fiji.

These interest groups are forming government and non-government organisations that
spread themselves to many localities even in mine and enforce residents to be aware of the
fact that the ocean needs our help to survive. These organisations includes campaigns in
which anyone can volunteer to work and involve exciting activities that benefits in helping
restore the coral reefs.

Subsequently, coral reefs are attractive but most importantly, they provide a home to many
known and unknown organisms that reside in the waters. Not only has that but the reefs
had much more than its advantages to the marine life but also to us humans. The beautiful
outlook of the reefs not only attracts the organisms living in it but also it attracts tourists to
visit our country which brings in a lot of economic benefits to our nation. Hence, more to
add coral reefs are a way of safeguarding our country to be safe from sea related natural
disasters such as tidal waves or tsunami attacks.
To add on, people surely are reacting to the effects that are happening around them in the
form of climate change. Now most Fijians understand why the resources should be saved as
now we can find many marines getting endangered or even becoming extinct due to our
carelessness. Water pollution is regarded as a criminal offence and this act is being enforced
by many concerned groups through campaigning, putting up advertisements, banners and
many more. Local groups are joining hands and volunteering in clean-up campaigns and
mangrove replantation.

In a nutshell, it can be concluded that the ocean has to become our priority today so that we
can enjoy our future in peace and prosperity. As per Ticum (2009), “The Earth Does Not
Belong to Human Beings; Human Beings Belong to the Earth”. Even the ocean needs us just
like we need it for survival basis. The ocean is a nature’s gift that helps us be able to fulfil our
needs and wants either through cultural, social or economic ways. The pacific is mostly
comprised of the ocean and the beauty of it. We Pacific islanders need to understand the need
of the ocean in our lives before it’s too late to realise the importance of the resources. Unless
and until, everyone plays their part well in ensuring the Pacific Ocean being remembered for
its natural beauty and strength, the Pacific would be lost in the future years.
Bibliography
Gleick,P.,(1993), “How Much Water is There on Earth?”, USGS science changing world,(19
April), https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-
there-earth

Earle,S.,(2012), “Stingray Studies in Spain: film shows challenges today for research”, RTSEA
BLOG,(17 June),(18 April), http://rtseablog.blogspot.com/2012/06/stingray-studies-in-spain-
film-shows.html

Ticum,L.,(2009), “‘The Earth Does Not Belong to Human Beings; Human Beings Belong to the
Earth’, Permanent Forum Hears as It Takes Up Issues of Climate Change, Land Tenure”,
UNITED NATIONS meetings coverage and press releases,( 27 May), (16 April),
https://www.un.org/press/en/2009/hr4988.doc.htm