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Greenpeace activists block the trawl ramp of Belize flagged Chinese bottom trawler Chang Xing in Port Nelson, New Zealand.
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After receiving over 32,000 emails sent from our Ocean Defenders around
the world, Australia is asking the UN for a time-out on destructive
high seas bottom trawling. If only the EU Commission would do the same.
Following three years of calls for urgent action, the United Nations General Assembly will finally begin negotiating measures to protect marine life in the deep sea, on 4-5 October, leading to a formal adoption in November.
A number of countries have now voiced their support for a UN moratorium (see the list below).
Bottom trawling is widely recognized as the most destructive of fishing methods. Heavily weighted bottom trawls are indiscriminate and scour and devour everything in their path including species that are not even known to science. It's like driving a huge bulldozer through an unexplored, lush and richly populated forest and being left with a flat, featureless desert.
In addition to Ocean Defenders, the many countries calling for a moratorium, other non-government organisations, over 1500 scientists, and the UN itself have expressed the need for a moratorium on this practice before it's too late. Here's the play by play:
High seas bottom trawling represents only one per cent of the world's annual global fishery catch. The European Union represents around 60 per cent of the 300 or so vessels engaged in bottom trawling worldwide: Spain has the largest fleet.
While the European Commission dosen't qualify for a "national team" they seem to be acting as a bad referee kicking the ball to the Destroyers team which is lead by Spain. Our EU marine policy director, Saskia Richartz, explains who's still on the side of the Deep Sea Destroyers:
"Spain and the European Commission, are still siding with a small sector of the industry that supports this fishing method and holding the EU position hostage. It is time for them to protect the interest of the oceans and the environment instead of the vested interests of a handful of fishing fleets. They must urgently agree a common position to support the call for a UN moratorium."
With Australia's strong move, eyes are turning towards New Zealand. Our oceans campaigner in New Zealand, Mike Hagler, hopes that New Zealand will follow Australia's lead, saying, "Greenpeace expects that New Zealand will join Palau, Australia and the rest of the countries of the Pacific in leading the world to a strong policy outcome at the UN next month."
Following three years of calls for urgent action, the United Nations General Assembly will finally begin negotiating measures to protect marine life in the deep sea, on 4-5 October, leading to a formal adoption in November.
A number of countries have now voiced their support for a UN moratorium (see the list below).
Wiping out unknown worlds
Bottom trawling is widely recognized as the most destructive of fishing methods. Heavily weighted bottom trawls are indiscriminate and scour and devour everything in their path including species that are not even known to science. It's like driving a huge bulldozer through an unexplored, lush and richly populated forest and being left with a flat, featureless desert.
Countries, scientists, Ocean Defenders and the UN
In addition to Ocean Defenders, the many countries calling for a moratorium, other non-government organisations, over 1500 scientists, and the UN itself have expressed the need for a moratorium on this practice before it's too late. Here's the play by play:
High seas bottom trawling represents only one per cent of the world's annual global fishery catch. The European Union represents around 60 per cent of the 300 or so vessels engaged in bottom trawling worldwide: Spain has the largest fleet.
What's the EU position? Good question.
While the European Commission dosen't qualify for a "national team" they seem to be acting as a bad referee kicking the ball to the Destroyers team which is lead by Spain. Our EU marine policy director, Saskia Richartz, explains who's still on the side of the Deep Sea Destroyers:
"Spain and the European Commission, are still siding with a small sector of the industry that supports this fishing method and holding the EU position hostage. It is time for them to protect the interest of the oceans and the environment instead of the vested interests of a handful of fishing fleets. They must urgently agree a common position to support the call for a UN moratorium."
With Australia's strong move, eyes are turning towards New Zealand. Our oceans campaigner in New Zealand, Mike Hagler, hopes that New Zealand will follow Australia's lead, saying, "Greenpeace expects that New Zealand will join Palau, Australia and the rest of the countries of the Pacific in leading the world to a strong policy outcome at the UN next month."
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