Guyana recognises importance of protecting biodiversity
– in message on occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity 2012
GUYANA has recognised the importance of taking action to protect biodiversity, and has ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) since 1994, according to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Mr. Robert Persaud.
Minister Persaud, in a message on the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity 2012, which was observed yesterday, noted that Guyana made further commitment in 2010 to  protect the marine environment, through ratification of the Cartagena Protocol for the Protection and Development of the Wider Caribbean Region.
He said there have also been ongoing efforts for the protection of endangered turtles in the Shell Beach Area.
Following is the full text of Minister Persaud’s message on International Day for Biological Diversity 2012:
International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated annually under the auspices of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD). This day is intended to create awareness and to entice practical action in the international community on the importance of biodiversity.
Biodiversity not only has a linkage to healthy functioning ecosystems, but provide the basis for livelihoods of dependent communities and populations through the provision of food, ecotourism opportunities, and other ecosystem services. The UNCBD focuses on several work programme areas including: marine and coastal biodiversity, freshwater biodiversity, agricultural biodiversity, forest biodiversity.
This year, the emphasis of IBD commemoration is on Marine Biodiversity.  The marine ecosystem provides services such as food, an important sink for carbon, and habitats for threatened and endangered species. Sadly, these ecosystems are under threat, and there has been a steady decline in fish populations globally.
Guyana has recognised the importance of taking action to protect biodiversity, and has ratified the UNCBD since 1994. In 2010, further commitment had been made to protect the marine environment, through ratification of the Cartagena Protocol for the Protection and Development of the Wider Caribbean Region.  There have been ongoing efforts for the protection of endangered turtles in the Shell Beach Area. Shell Beach has been designated a Protected Area in 2011 and is Guyana’s first coastal protected area. Under the umbrella of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is the newly created Protected Areas Commission which focuses on coordinating a programme of Protected Areas in Guyana. There will be stronger emphasis in the Shell Beach Protected Area to not only conserve critical ecosystems, but to work with communities to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources.
Protecting our Marine Biodiversity requires collective action. Everyone must be involved. Every citizen has a stake and must be a part of the effort to protect our marine resources. A depleted marine environment results in a depleted food supply, and deteriorating health of our nation.
You can get involved:
*         Wisely harvesting fish resources;
*         Do not dump plastics and garbage into drains, rivers, or over the seawall
*         Support the coastal cleanup campaign and the anti-littering drive of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment;
*         Support mangrove conservation. Mangroves are important fish nurseries and a habitat for shrimp.
*         Buy sustainably produced products from our environment.
We all have a role to play in managing our marine biodiversity sensibly and sustainably.