Commemorating World Ocean Day, the UN Director General Antonio Guterres on Thursday highlighted that preserving the earth’s blue is the need of the hour as the oceans are the “greatest reservoir of biodiversity”.

He adds that humanity is the “worst enemy” of the oceans as it is being tormented by overfishing, exploitation, acidification and pollution.

An ambitious and unanimous decision was taken by the countries, last December,  to preserve 30% of land, marine and coastal areas by this decade.

The subtle High Seas Treaty was agreed upon by the countries later in March to propagate conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction for which “a collective commitment”,was imperative to fulfil the above goal. 

Preserving the blue shall solve the other global issues like poverty, food security and climate change.

Since oceans and marine biodiversity are the major sources of food and energy, the importance of Aquaculture siting was emphasized by Manuel Barange, FAO Director, focussing on its rapid growth over the last 5 decades and the expectant growth of 25% by this decade.