Environmental protection is vital for countries that are heavily reliant on resources from the oceans, says Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology

She made the statement while participating online at the IUCN World Conservation Congress High-Level Dialogue in Marseille, France.

It was important for countries like Maldives, which have a higher proportion of water than land, she said, conserving marine species and their habitat is vital for the economies that rely on them.

Her main concerns were the declining fish stocks and the rising wastes in the water. There is a policy of protecting 20 per cent of Maldivian waterways, and she emphasized the need for international cooperation in this matter because it cannot be resolved by one country alone.

According to the minister, Outside of Maldivian boundaries, environmentally irresponsible fishing methods, as well as dramatic weather fluctuations are affecting countries that rely on the fisheries industry, 

As part of the UN's "Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction" initiative, the minister asked all countries to work together to safeguard 30% of the ocean by 2030.