Discussion Panel A Fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development

Fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development

Some delegations pointed out that the sustainable development of fisheries was another aspect of the contribution of fisheries to sustainable development.

(a) Fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development

Fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development

(a) Recall its previous resolutions related to oceans and the law of the sea and sustainable fisheries

8. Supports the efforts of Caribbean countries to implement sustainable fisheries management programmes

Among the topics discussed was the very pertinent issue of fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development.

13. Supports the efforts of Caribbean countries to implement sustainable fisheries management programmes by strengthening the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism

The sustainable fisheries draft resolution stands as an undertaking by the international community to review the impact of fishing activity on marine bed ecosystems.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing continues to seriously undermine the contribution of responsible fisheries to sustainable development.

What actions can be taken to address the impediments to the sustainable development of fisheries?

New Zealand is pleased to once again co sponsor both the omnibus oceans draft resolution and the sustainable fisheries draft resolution.

At the end of the panel discussions, some delegations expressed their disappointment that the discussions had focused primarily on constraints to the sustainable development of fisheries rather than on how fisheries could contribute to sustainable development.

Sustainable development of fisheries in line with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries was mentioned as being one of the core elements of such rehabilitation.

The contribution of fisheries to sustainable development relies on the continuing health of functioning, productive ecosystems.

The need to increase developing States' capacity in the field of sustainable management of fisheries was recognized by a number of delegations, which underlined the need for subsistence assistance, capacity building and transfer of technology for developing countries, in particular small island developing States.

Responsible international commerce is, without doubt, crucial to ensuring that fishing contributes to sustainable development.

IUU fishing is a fundamental threat to sustainable fisheries and ocean ecosystems.

For the past decade or so, China, as a responsible fishing State, has done a great deal to strengthen the conservation and management of fishery resources and has curbed its harvesting as much as possible in the interests of the sustainable development of global fisheries.

(a) Role of fisheries in sustainable development (for example, the contribution of fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security and to world trade) (see A 60 63, paras. 168 183)

We are pleased to support both draft resolutions and to be a sponsor of draft resolution A 60 L.23, on sustainable fisheries.

That work also reflects the central role played by the oceans and seas, including sustainable fisheries, in the future of our planet.

How can the availability of data and information that is fundamental to the effective conservation and sustainable management of fisheries resources be improved? Do current arrangements for the collection and sharing of data and information relating to fishing activities suffice?

Many delegations and representatives of international organizations and non governmental organizations underlined that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing constituted a major threat to the sustainable development of fisheries.

(d) Capacity building activities of international organizations promoting sustainable fisheries (see A 60 63, paras.

The report also states that for the fisheries sector to contribute to sustainable development, it has itself to be managed in a sustainable way .

The Declaration calls on States to take practical steps to end unsustainable fishing practices and reinforces the commitment of all nations to manage fisheries in a sustainable fashion.

The Chinese delegation believes that when considering fishery issues, the international community should aim at regulating conduct and achieving sustainable development.

The commitments manifested in the action oriented draft resolutions on sustainable fisheries and on the law of the sea, which Canada is pleased to co sponsor, come at a critical and complex time for fisheries and for the law of the sea.

The meeting was able to reach agreement on most of the elements relating to fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development presented in section 1 below.

The need for an integrated ecosystem based approach to fisheries and oceans governance, based on the best available science, is widely and increasingly considered the key to maintaining fishery productivity and its continuing contribution to sustainable development.

Descriptions of the areas of focus for the two discussion panels fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development, and marine debris, are set out in annex III, sections A and B, respectively.

(c) Factors limiting the contribution of fisheries to sustainable development (for example, overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, governance and policy issues, and environmental issues linked to aquaculture) (see A 60 63, paras. 209 222)

We would emphasize the need to ensure effective coordination and cooperation in the process of integrated ocean management so as to promote sustainable fisheries, enhance maritime safety and protect the marine environment from pollution.

Australia will continue to work hard with its neighbours to ensure that this regional fisheries management organization employs world best practice in the sustainable management and the conservation of highly migratory species.

With regard to factors limiting the contribution of fisheries to sustainable development, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and overfishing remain a primary challenge.

With respect to the law of the sea, the Open ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea at its sixth meeting discussed fisheries and their contribution to sustainable development.

Fisheries management should promote the maintenance of the quality, diversity and availability of fishery resources in sufficient quantities for present and future generations in the context of food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

Fisheries

One delegation acknowledged the importance of both developing an integrated system of assistance that would focus on sustainable and responsible fisheries and ensuring that developing States maximize the use of the assistance they receive.

(b) Capacity building, regional cooperation and coordination, and integrated ocean management, as important cross cutting issues to address ocean affairs, such as marine science and the transfer of technology, sustainable fisheries, the degradation of the marine environment and the safety of navigation

His annual report on the law of the sea and sustainable fisheries contains much useful information and provides a good basis for a comprehensive assessment of the current situation and for defining future collective measures in that area.

When illegally caught fish reach the global marketplace, fish prices fall and less fish are left to catch legally.

13. Appeals to States and regional fisheries organizations, including regional fisheries management bodies and regional fisheries arrangements, to promote the application of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries within their areas of competence