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About AOCA
Our Mission |
Our Goals and Objectives |
Our Programmes |
Our Rationale
Only after the last tree has been cut down, only
after the last river has been poisoned, only after
the last fish has been caught, only then will you
find that money cannot be eaten.
Cree Indian Prophecy
Our
Mission
AfriOceans Conservation Alliance is a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa. Our mission is to promote the conservation, protection and sustainable utilization of Africa's marine resources.
Our Goals & Objectives
AOCA seeks to align and partner with organisations,
scientists and environmentalists that subscribe
to policies that promote sustainable marine conservation
and development. AOCA develops and promotes training,
education, awareness and science initiatives; it
encourage government and corporate policies and
practices that provide meaningful marine conservation,
and calls upon all people, particularly the young,
to aspire to the long-term conservation of the
oceans
off the African continent.
Our Programmes
In order to realize its mission AOCA is actively involved in programmes
and products that encourage improved perceptions and attitudes toward
wiser choices in our relationship with the oceans of Africa.
Currently these include:
Our Rationale
“ Africa’s long and beautiful coasts
and the abundance of marine resources can contribute
to providing economic, food and environment security
for the continent. These coastal and marine resources,
like the rest of Africa’s environmental resources,
cannot continue to be exploited in a manner that
does not benefit Africa and her people. This is
a paradox of people dying from hunger, starvation
and poverty when they are potentially so rich and
well endowed.”
Former South African President,
Nelson Mandela
Today, there is a growing recognition that the
oceans surrounding Africa face serious threat.
Yet, Africa’s place in the global community
is highlighted by the fact that the continent
is an indispensable resource base that has served
all humanity for many centuries. Up to 30% of
the world fishery resources come from Africa
yet many coastal African countries are without
fishery management policies as they lack the
skills and resources to develop effective management
plans.
Furthermore, most African countries have rapidly
growing human populations and although conservation
models are ideal, they are difficult to implement
when the demand for food and growing economies
remains so high. If fisheries in Africa continue
to be unsustainably exploited, food resources
and any economic benefits associated with the
exploitation of the oceans will be jeopardised,
exacerbating existing problems.
AOCA is therefore
dedicated to creating and implementing action
plans that will contribute towards making meaningful
and lasting contributions to the conservation
of Africa’s marine resources, and which
ultimately assist towards sustainable development
and poverty alleviation.
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