UN Concludes Negotiations on Fisheries Resolution

December 5, 2006

Release from:
NOAA

Negotiations at UN Headquarters on the draft 2006 fisheries resolution have concluded after a challenging and productive debate. Since 1995, the United Nations annually adopts two resolutions that provide guidance to the international community on implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, UN Fish Stock Agreement, and other relevant international standards. The draft 2006 resolution calls on countries to adopt and implement management polices such as strengthening port and flag State measures on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, minimizing bycatch and discards from fishing vessels, and reducing capacity in global fleets.

Participants reviewed domestic and international efforts to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (e.g., seamounts, cold-water corals and hydrothermal vents) from destructive fishing practices, and proposed further recommendations as called for in the 2004 fisheries resolution. Consistent with the Presidential Statement on promoting sustainable fisheries and eliminating destructive fishing practices, the United States called on all nations to prohibit their vessels from engaging in destructive fishing practices on the high seas until applicable conservation and management measures or a Regional Fisheries Management Organization is in place.

The resolution's draft text includes management provisions for both regional fishery management organizations and individual nations to prevent bottom fishing from causing harm to vulnerable marine ecosystems. The current language represents the initial stages of significant progress towards greater protection of vulnerable ecosystems on the high seas. It will be presented to the full General Assembly on December 7, 2006, for a final decision.

For more information, contact Liz.English@noaa.gov.