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Tuesday, February 07, 2006
An ocean love affair
By Zac Faelnar Camara
I found myself challenged at a recent conference by one acclaimed environmental lawyer, Tony Oposa, a fellow Cebuano and a great defender of the seas.
He spoke of the current global and local environmental situation. In particular, he stressed the urgency of protecting the Visayan Sea, the richest in biodiversity at the heart of the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Triangle – the global center of marine biodiversity, spanning the coastlines of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Whatever does this have to do with lifestyle or love?
Filipinos love the ocean! And it would be greatly ideal to think that all citizens of our archipelagic state, particularly the Visayans, and especially the Cebuanos love our seas and understand the role to protect its natural abundance.
After all, we pride ourselves in endless eco-tourism programs, marketing the islands to foreigners who delight in incredible and renowned surf and dive sites. After which, we take adrenaline and nitrogen-high visitors to popular Sutukil stations and fish markets for the freshest and choicest of produce.
Fish, together with other seafood, is one of the Filipinos’ most important commodities. The richness in biodiversity that we are so blessed with is beneficial to us in countless ways, be it to boost tourism, trade and commerce, or simply to fill the stomachs of hungry children.
Yet our oceans are dying. The marine life is endangered through our very own ignorance, apathy and greed. Soon, if we do not watch our lifestyles and correct that of others, we will be surrounded by lifeless bodies of water with little more to offer us than the ability to splash about.
Will it suffice to say that our love affair with the ocean begins and ends with limitless amounts of water sports fun? Is it not that love nourishes and protects even the humblest creatures? With love comes duty. And it is ours to help conserve marine habitats, get educated and adjust our lifestyles.
The next time we take a refreshing dip at the beach or a boat ride to the next island, dive with our buddies to marvel at the mysteries beneath, embark on a dolphin-watching or fishing expedition or romantically look out into the ocean and gaze into a sunset across the horizon, remember the duty to pour as much love into the sea as it offers back. That way, we can fall in love with the ocean time and again as we ensure that it brings us more joy and greater abundance year after year.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 7, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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