June 17, 2014 — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced new coastal programs, valued at more than $170 million, to benefit coastal communities, which are among some of the most vulnerable, poor, and marginalized groups.
The announcement took place at the "Our Ocean" Conference hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry. These programs will support marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, coastal adaptation and efforts to combat illegal fishing and wildlife trafficking in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
"About 40 percent of the world's population lives within 100 kilometers of the coast. Preserving the earth's priceless marine life and safeguarding our world's valuable coastal resources for human use and future generations is vital," said Eric Postel, USAID's Assistant Administrator on Economic Growth, Education and Environment.
Over one billion people worldwide depend on fish as a primary source of protein. Conserving and managing these coastal and marine resources are essential for meeting global development goals, including food security and nutrition, poverty reduction, and protection of coastal communities from the impacts of climate change.
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