UNITED NATIONS, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Friday raised awareness about the "crucial importance" of marine species to sustainable development on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.
Under the theme of "Life below water: for people and planet" this year, the world day, which falls on March 3, was celebrated at an event co-organized by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), UN Development Programme and UN Environment Programme.
"Marine species provide indispensable ecosystem services. Plankton enrich the atmosphere with oxygen, and more than three billion people depend on marine coastal biodiversity for sustenance and livelihoods," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his message to the day, which was read at the event by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero.
The UN chief noted that marine and coastal resources and the industries they support are estimated to be worth at least three trillion U.S. dollars a year, some 5 percent of global GDP.
He called for sustainable managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, which are the objectives of goal 15 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations.
"Today, ocean life is under severe pressure ranging from climate change to pollution, the loss of coastal habitats and the over exploitation of marine species," the message said.
Some one third of commercial fish stocks are over-fished and many other species are imperiled by the unsustainable use of ocean resources, it added.
However, Guterres stressed that solutions for these problems are available. "For example, where fisheries are managed scientifically, most fish stocks have a good chance of recovery."
Closing his message, the UN chief called for more awareness about the "extraordinary diversity" of marine life and the "crucial importance" of marine species to sustainable development. "That way, we can continue to provide these services for future generations."
