Climate change in focus for World Maritime Day
22.09.2009
Climate change – in particular its effect on the marine environment – will be in the spotlight during this year’s World Maritime Day celebrations.
A range of activities have been organised this week, including an open day at the Maritime Training Centre, presentations on climate change, among others.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) celebrates World Maritime Day every year, and though the exact date is left to individual governments it is usually celebrated during the last week in September.
The day is used to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and to emphasise a particular aspect of the IMO’s work.
The theme chosen for this year is: Climate change – a challenge for the IMO too! This recognises the intense focus the subject is receiving worldwide and the fact that the IMO is heavily and consistently engaged in the fight to protect and preserve our environment, both marine and atmospheric.
The National Maritime Day organising committee in Seychelles agreed to mark this year’s celebrations under the above theme as it reflects the fundamental aims of the committee – to raise awareness about respecting and protecting our marine environment.
The programme of activities is aimed at raising awareness of climate change, educating the public in general on its effects on our maritime environment and stimulating further interest in the maritime industry.
An open day will be held at the Maritime Training Centre from 9am-3pm on Thursday September 24.
The official launch of World Maritime Day will take place on Friday September 25 in the Seychelles Fishing Authority’s training room, by invitation only. There will be presentations on climate change from a meteorological and environmental perspective.
A maritime theme night will be held on Friday September 25 at the Level 3 Bar, Docklands, from 9pm onwards.
There will be happy hours in the SFA canteen from 4pm onwards on Friday September 25, and a clean-up of Cerf island beaches, by invitation, on Saturday September 26 from 8am-4pm.
Finally, a mass will be held for the maritime sector workforce on Sunday September 27 at the Church of St André, Cascade, at 9am, with a blessing of boats and a fair afterwards.