WITH the unbated rise of the earth’s temperate and consequential sea-level rise, this climate change phenomena are the biggest threat to the movement of Solomon Islands tuna stocks out of the country.
That’s according to the Minister of the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), Rexson Ramofafia, when speaking during a joint Climate Tok Stori session organised by the Australia High Commission in Honiara with schools, private sectors, civil societies and government ministries at the AHC Annex Building last Friday.
“Climate change is happening now, the signals in terms of observed data are already pointing to increasing surface temperatures and sea-level rise of 8 millimetres per annum which is two to three times higher than the global average.
“Climate change projections into the future will be more troublesome for us.
“Solomon Islands stands to lose dearly in terms of our tuna fisheries because of the projections that tuna stocks will move away from Solomon Islands waters,” he underscored.
The tuna industry is one of the industries in the country that contribute immensely to the national economy.
The onslaught of climate change on tuna stocks is that it will move them away from Solomon Islands Economic Exclusive Zone will directly affect the national economy.
“Climate change not only affects tuna stocks but also a clear example of loss and damage. In addition to the threat of the loss of tuna stocks is also the loss of fully liveable islands such as Walande and Fanalei and the difficulties now faced by our people in low-lying atolls and artificial islands,” Minister Ramofafia added.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
