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A sea rewilding ambassador has told a Guernsey Literary Festival audience the island can join the movement to protect 30% of the world's oceans by the next decade.
Charles Clover has recently penned the book ‘Rewilding the Sea’, and spoke at the Bathing Pools noting that much progress has been made since the 90s when he penned his first book on the topic.
He told Mourant’s Sally Rochester that our local waters have been exploited less, evidenced by rich populations of seagrasses, and said this can help position Guernsey as a meaningful player in sea rewilding.
Mr Clover was also impressed by the knowledge of politicians and civil servants on the topic, including awareness of international treaties looking to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 to protect biological diversity.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, president of the Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure, States of Guernsey, listened and contributed to a round table discussion after the presentation.
She said Mr Clover’s practical experience and global insights were inspiring.
"That’s the most positive message that I’ve taken out of this: that small local changes can make a very big difference. We have been following Jersey’s progress with their Marine Spatial Plan and here we have a number of different reasons relating to prioritised policies to progress one of our own,” she said.
“I know we have a third sector and a community that is closely connected with our marine environment, and I think intuitively understands the need for its protection. I’d like to think we have something special, and as a parent of young children I’d like to think we can not only protect it, but as you have demonstrated, actually improve it for generations to come.”
Pictured (top): Sally Rochester, Charles Clover and Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez.
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