Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology Aminath Shauna has stated that the tourism sector plays a large role in environmental protection. She made the remark while inaugurating the Ocean Governance Symposium held at the Maldives National University (MNU).
Speaking at the function, Minister Shauna highlighted the threat of continued sea level rise and the death of reefs due to global warming as well as the importance of sustainable practices to conserve the oceans. She also said environmental protection initiatives cannot be strengthened without the tourism sector, which needs to be more involved in the efforts of the government.
Additionally, Minister Shauna said the accumulation of plastic material in reefs is a major concern and noted that the import of 13 types of plastic has been banned. She highlighted other challenges in protecting the environment that needs collaboration to solve. She further said the Maldives has rich marine biodiversity with 3% of the world’s coral reefs, adding that 13 of the regions in the country are now protected.