A partnership agreement was signed on Monday between the Secretariat General of Maritime Affairs and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), with a view to boosting cooperation, particularly in the development of the legislative framework to preserve the marine environment and protect maritime resources against uncontrolled exploitation.
The agreement was inked by Secretary General for Maritime Affairs at the Prime Ministry Asma Shiri, and Director of the WWF North Africa Office in Tunisia Jamel Jrijer.
The partnership will focus on sharing experiences in biodiversity preservation, publishing the results of joint studies and research, and sensitising professionals in the maritime field, with regard to combatting maritime pollution and promoting maritime culture.
The agreement will allow developing new activities promoting the preservation of maritime resources, such as tourist fishing and the transport of people between maritime areas, Shiri added.
Under this agreement, the department and the WWF will work to raise public awareness of the importance of marine space and maritime wealth.
For his part, Jrijer said this partnership will prove beneficial for the Tunisian administration, since one of the objectives of the WWF is to help governmental actors realise national strategies in this field.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring good environmental management in Tunisia, whose coastline stretches over 2000km, 75% of which is occupied by inhabitants.
The partnership with the Secretariat General of Maritime Affairs aims in particular to provide support to small-scale fishermen within the framework of a blue economy, based on the identification of solutions to local problems, and through national coordination.
Jrijer drew attention to plastic pollution (7kg for every km3) and the depletion of 70% of marine resources, while the fisheries sector requires sustainable work opportunities and a blue circular economy.
According to him, a clear strategy must be adopted in this sector, in coordination with the different stakeholders, municipalities and the private sector.
The Secretariat General for Maritime Affairs was created at the Prime Ministry under Order No. 144 of February 18, 2019. It is responsible for coordination between the various actors in the maritime field, including the protection of maritime resources and the protection of the marine environment.
