By Mark DaCosta-As we honour World Oceans Day on June 8 it is vital to reflect on the significant role our oceans play in sustaining life and driving economic prosperity in our nation. The Forward Guyana Movement, under the leadership of Amanza Walton-Desir, has aptly recognised this connection, asserting, in a written statement, the ocean as fundamental to our national identity and future. With the rising pressures of climate change and the transformation into an oil-producing state, the need for decisive action to protect our vital marine resources has never been more urgent.
The essence of the statement, dated June 8, by the Forward Guyana Movement underscores an important reality: the health of our oceans directly correlates with the well-being of our nation. Walton-Desir articulated a clear call to action, urging that “the future of Guyana is not only on land. It is also at sea.” This provokes a necessary dialogue about the management of our expansive maritime territory, putting pressure on the current administration to take tangible steps in safeguarding the marine environment.
Amidst our strides towards economic development, we face big challenges such as rising sea levels, coastal flooding, and marine pollution, which threaten the livelihoods of thousands of families living along our coasts. The Forward Guyana Movement emphasised that our “future prosperity will increasingly depend on how wisely we manage our marine resources.” Therefore, as we pursue progress in offshore oil production, it is important that this does not come at the expense of our environment or coastal communities.
Historically, we have made strides towards marine management through various initiatives, including the Maritime Economy Plan and Integrated Coastal Zone Management. However, Walton-Desir pointed out the shortcomings of these efforts, lamenting that “these initiatives must not remain isolated exercises or policy documents sitting on shelves.” This criticism of government inaction challenges the ruling party’s disjointed approach. Without an integrated and actionable framework that encompasses environmental protection, climate readiness, and sustainable growth, their rhetoric may be more performative than effective.
The United Nations further supports this idea, emphasising the urgent need to rethink our relationship with the ocean. The 2026 theme for World Oceans Day, “Reimagine,” calls for a transformative approach as we learn to respect and care for the ocean that sustains us. According to the UN, “we need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy.” This message resonates strongly in our context, where the oceans not only provide economic opportunities but are also vital for ecological stability.
Within this global framework, the statement from the Forward Guyana Movement acts as a potent reminder that we must cherish our marine resources and ensure they are well-managed. As more than ninety percent of our nation’s population resides along the coast, the stakes could not be higher; we cannot afford complacency. The FGM’s emphasis on creating a comprehensive National Ocean and Coastal Resilience Strategy illustrates a proactive vision for our nation’s maritime future. This strategy should incorporate disaster preparedness, marine environmental management, and sustainable economic growth—a holistic approach that should become the standard.
The ocean’s role as a critical component of our economy must not be underestimated. It is estimated that the ocean sector will employ around forty million people globally by 2030, underpinning the need for robust national strategies to leverage these opportunities while protecting our natural heritage. “World Oceans Day should therefore be more than a celebration,” Walton-Desir urges. Instead, it should galvanise leaders into action, as stewardship of our oceans calls for immediate planning and sincere leadership.
As we reflect on our maritime responsibilities, it is crucial that our government prioritises the health of our oceans with the same fervour as it pursues economic growth through oil and gas. In doing so, we must heed the scientific warnings about over-exploitation, wherein “90 percent of big fish populations [are] depleted” and “50 percent of coral reefs [are] destroyed.” This critical imbalance raises questions about the sustainability of our current trajectory.
