VOA常速英语2013--东帝汶的海洋生态保护区

 

Conservation In Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is home to a rich variety of marine¹ life and sits within the Coral Triangle, one of the most important areas in the world for coral and marine biodiversity. Covering just two percent of the global ocean, the Coral Triangle contains 35 percent of the world's coral reefs, and half the world's species of reef fish swim its waters.

The Timorese government is creating protected areas in the waters of the Coral Triangle, called "no-take zones," where fishing is prohibited. The goal is for fish to grow to healthy sizes, improving the chances that species will survive. This is important not only for Timor-Leste's fisheries, but also for global fisheries. The United States is supporting Timor-Leste’s efforts to anticipate and adapt to climate change and natural disasters through the Coral Triangle Support Partnership² program implemented³ by the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID.

On a bright morning, nearly 200 people gathered in Manatuto, Timor-Leste, to share ideas about how to conserve⁴ the region’s marine resources. Local fishermen, community leaders, representatives from local government, and a team from USAID discussed the conservation program. By the end of the meeting, there was a mutual⁵ understanding that fishing could not happen in protected areas for three years in order to allow the fish to regain⁶ their numbers and remain plentiful⁷ for future generations, but that in the meantime, people could still catch fish in other areas to support their families.

By acknowledging community concerns and seeking input⁸, the United States Agency for International Development and Timorese government were able to integrate local knowledge and customs more effectively into their work to protect the environment. As Mr. Cristov?o Guterres, who serves as the Development Outreach and Communications Specialist at the USAID Timor-Leste Mission, observed “Community participation⁹ in and support for this process is crucial, because so many people depend on the marine environment for income.”

1 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

2 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

3 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

4 conserve   

vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭

参考例句：

• He writes on both sides of the sheet to conserve paper.他在纸张的两面都写字以节省用纸。
• Conserve your energy,you'll need it!保存你的精力，你会用得着的！

5 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

6 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

7 plentiful   

adj.富裕的，丰富的

参考例句：

• Their family has a plentiful harvest this year.他们家今年又丰收了。
• Rainfall is plentiful in the area.这个地区雨量充足。

8 input   

n.输入(物)；投入；vt.把(数据等)输入计算机

参考例句：

• I will forever be grateful for his considerable input.我将永远感激他的大量投入。
• All this information had to be input onto the computer.所有这些信息都必须输入计算机。

9 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。