Speaking at an event at Bunaken National Marine Park, US chargé d’affaires Brian McFeeters said marine parks such as Bunaken were incredibly valuable to local livelihoods. 

“By engaging in the protection and management of the area, economic development and environmental protection can be balanced,” he said in a statement released by the US Embassy on Thursday.

Consul general Heather Variava, marine scientists and professors from Manado's Sam Ratulangi University participated in the follow-up event to the 2016 Our Ocean conference, which was held in Washington DC in September. The promotion of the Blue Economy and sustainable fishing were a major focus of the conference.

In the follow-up event, all participants had the opportunity to view the rich marine diversity of Bunaken and learn about Indonesia’s efforts to preserve its ocean environment.

“Environmental sustainability will ensure economic stability, benefiting all Indonesians,” Variava said.

The Our Ocean conference announced over 136 new initiatives on marine conservation and protection, worth more than US$5.24 billion. The initiatives are focused on key ocean issues, including marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution and climate-related impacts on the ocean.

Bunaken National Marine Park is located in the Coral Triangle, North Sulawesi. It provides a habitat for 390 species of coral, along with other marine species. Indonesia will host the Our Ocean conference in 2018. (ebf)

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