Randy Baltimore, MP, photo by Wayne Mariette
The Honourable Randy Baltimore, Minister of State in Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, joined the Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, for a panel discussion focused on ocean conservation, marine protection and the challenges confronting small island states.
The discussion was moderated by Clare Brook, Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Marine Foundation, and was attended by marine, environmental and conservation stakeholders from across the Commonwealth.
During his contribution, Minister Baltimore drew attention to the pressures facing Caribbean marine ecosystems, particularly overfishing, declining fish stocks and the wider challenges of managing and protecting marine resources. He also highlighted local concerns in Antigua and Barbuda, noting the potential consequences of damage to coastal and marine environments for tourism, fishing communities and the livelihoods of residents who depend directly and indirectly on the sea.
The Minister underscored that healthy marine ecosystems are essential not only to environmental protection but also to economic stability. He pointed to the importance of sustaining the fisheries sector while preserving the beaches, coastal waters and marine attractions that form a key part of the region’s tourism offering.
Against this backdrop, Minister Baltimore issued a clarion call for Commonwealth member states to deepen cooperation and share practical knowledge, expertise and proven approaches to fisheries management and marine conservation. He emphasised that countries facing similar challenges could benefit from learning from one another, particularly in developing solutions suited to the realities of small island developing states.
Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, meanwhile, expressed concern about the threat posed by climate change, including the implications of global warming exceeding the internationally recognised 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels. He drew attention to the vulnerabilities of Pacific island nations and the serious consequences that further warming could have for their marine environments.
The Tongan Prime Minister also highlighted threats to whale populations in his country and their significance to the people of Tonga. He described the cultural and ecological importance of whales, alongside the economic opportunities associated with responsible whale-watching tourism and other sustainable marine activities.
As moderator, Blue Marine Foundation Chief Executive Clare Brook guided the exchange between the Caribbean and Pacific leaders, bringing their regional perspectives together around the shared goal of protecting the ocean while supporting communities whose wellbeing depends on it.
The discussion illustrated the common challenges faced by Caribbean and Pacific island nations, from climate-related threats and pressure on marine biodiversity to the need to reconcile conservation with sustainable economic activity.
For Antigua and Barbuda, Minister Baltimore’s participation provided an opportunity to raise the experiences and concerns of local coastal communities in a wider Commonwealth conversation, while advocating stronger international partnerships and the exchange of best practices to safeguard marine resources for future generations.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Minister Randy Baltimore Joins Tongan Prime Minister in Commonwealth Discussion on Ocean Conservation.