Environment Ministry signs MoU with UK Department to protect marine environment
View(s):Sri Lanka’s Environment Ministry and the UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), to protect and enhance the marine environment.
Environment Ministry Secretary Prabath Chadrakeerthi, and Deputy Director for the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Sara Rusling signed the agreement this week that represents a united effort to work together to protect and enhance marine ecosystems to support biodiversity and good water quality, while also providing sustainable seafood for Lankans.
Through the UK’s Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP), Sri Lanka and the UK will collaborate to tackle the three key challenges of marine biodiversity, marine pollution and sustainable seafood. The OCPP aims to support the marine environment and to make a positive impact on the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.
The MoU recognises work that has been taking place over the last few years that includes joint research on plastic pollution, setting up new microplastics laboratories, knowledge exchange on scientific methods to support water quality monitoring, and collaboration to enhance Sri Lanka’s Marine Protected Areas to meet the country’s conservation ambitions and biodiversity commitments.
The programme also focuses on marine pollution emergency response techniques, with a focus on the environmental aspects of prevention, preparedness and response. Joint work has also taken place around enabling safe and sustainable seafood production, particularly with regards to aquaculture.
The OCPP programme also includes work with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), providing scholarships for Masters students hosted by the University of Kelaniya and University of Peradeniya. The scholarships will enable scholars from Sri Lanka to harness their regional knowledge and conduct vital research that will contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources, and strengthen responses to marine environmental challenges.
“Together, we’re not just signing papers, we’re shaping the future, unlocking opportunities, and fostering innovation,” Mr Chandrakeerthi said.
With the signing of this agreement, it is expected that the two nations may implement activities and exchange of relevant scientific and technical information, capacity building trainings, and conduct collaborative research and execute pilot projects to sensitise local stakeholders on the blue economy and marine spatial planning, provide consultation and exchange of good practices.
The MoU will provide a framework within which the parties can discuss and investigate areas in which to make research collaborations under the Blue Planet Fund’s Ocean Country Partnership Programme covering marine pollution, biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, climate or environmental and other public health monitoring in order to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty, which may be of potential interest and benefit to both participants.
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