This year’s theme, STAND UP, SAVE OUR REEFS emphasizes the cause and effect relationship of our actions towards the environment and the ecosystem services and goods that the oceans provide to create a flourishing community. In light of the current issues in our coral reefs, we are also highlighting the need to make a stand and save our front line barriers against coastal calamities. Source: http://www.bmb.gov.ph
Photo from Google
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Public Affairs Office Caraga Administrative Region
2015 marks the 16th year the country is celebrating the “Month of the Ocean� (MOO). By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 57 issued in 1999, the month of May was declared as the MOO. Activities to be conducted in observance of the MOO aims to highlight the importance and significance of conservation, protection, and sustainable management of Philippine coastal and marine resources. The Presidential Proclamation mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) to spearhead the activities of MOO in collaboration with the different sectors of the society.
In general, the goal of the MOO 2015 is to make people understand how conservation and protection of the oceans translates to a healthy and flourishing community. Specifically, MOO aims to:
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Enhance public awareness on the current state of the oceans, and the ecosystem goods and services provided by our marine biodiversity,
Emphasize the effects of unsustainable coastal and marine development to the biodiversity of the oceans, and how these impact on the upland and coastal communities;
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Encourage participation of the people in safeguarding and promoting sustainable use of coastal and marine resources by presenting ways on how they can take part in implementing the various programs on oceans
Call for local leaders, policy makers and private sector to integrating the sustainable management of coastal and marine environment into their planning and governance decisions;
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Moreover, this year’s MOO celebrates the importance of protecting marine biodiversity to increase climate resiliency and to improve livelihoods from fisheries to ecotourism. Photo from Google