Cape Verde President: Ocean Plastic is a ‘Drama’ for Islands
Cape Verdean President José Maria Neves has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating “drama” of plastic pollution, calling for immediate local and global action to protect the archipelago’s vast maritime territory. In a message marking World Oceans Day, Neves underscored that marine litter has become a critical threat to the islands’ ecological health.
The ‘Drama’ of Santa Luzia
The President pointed to the desert island of Santa Luzia as a heartbreaking example of the crisis. Despite being a protected nesting site for sea turtles, the uninhabited island is constantly bombarded by plastic waste. Driven by the North Atlantic current, debris of all sizes accumulates on its shores, turning a vital wildlife sanctuary into a collection point for global trash.
Neves, who visited the island in March alongside international diplomats and environmental NGOs, stated that the scale of the pollution at Santa Luzia proves the issue cannot be solved by one nation alone. “Marine litter, particularly plastics, has been a drama for our islands,” the head of state affirmed, stressing the necessity for unified international intervention.
Guardians of a Blue Giant
With a maritime area approximately 200 times larger than its landmass, Cape Verde holds a strategic and moral responsibility for ocean health. Neves emphasized that the nation must transition from being a consumer of marine resources to a defender of the deep.
“We cannot continue to be mere beneficiaries of marine resources; we must assume the role of guardians of an ecosystem that sustains life on the planet,” Neves said. As a patron of the Ocean Decade Alliance, he reaffirmed his support for the global “30×30” goal—an initiative to protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Focusing on the Future
The President also highlighted the essential roles that women and young people play in marine conservation, particularly through artisanal fishing, scientific research, and environmental education. He praised community leadership as a cornerstone of the country’s defense against pollution.
The fight against marine litter will take center stage next month at the 5th International Conference of the Ocean Decade. Set to be held on the island of Boa Vista from July 23 to 25, the summit will bring together experts to discuss long-term solutions for the “Blue Planet.”
Image: Pexels – To Tao
