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For two years, governments have promised "urgent action" to protect
deep sea life. But nothing has happened. On 14 July, 2006, the United
Nations Division of Law of the Sea (DOALOS) published a review of
actions taken by nations. Their conclusion confirms what we already
know - the deep sea is poorly protected from destructive fishing
practices like bottom trawling. The clear action left for countries is
to support a global moratorium on high seas bottom trawling at the
United Nations General Assembly in October, 2006.
"Those two years has almost certainly seen species extinction and vast swathes of deep ocean ecosystem destroyed forever by bottom trawling. The UN must take the only step to stop the destruction, to establish a moratorium on high seas bottom trawling later this year," says Lyn Goldsworthy of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition Australia (of which Greenpeace is a member).Australia's role in the destruction
Australia, in its submission to the review, indicated it was assisting with establishing new regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). Its RFMOs reform agenda includes "moving RFMOS towards a whole of ecosystem approach to fisheries management and implementing the precautionary approach". These actions, while welcome, do not fall into the category of "urgent action" as it will take many years before they come into operation, let alone become effective governance tools.
Australia also stated that it will seek "the establishment of interim arrangements to ensure that, while the South Pacific RFMO is being developed, fish stocks are managed in a manner that does not undermine the principles of sustainable fisheries". Yet, in February, 2006, Australia joined the US and Korea in blocking a proposal from France for an immediate moratorium on destructive fishing practices while the RFMO was being negotiated and put in place.
Australia was also influential in restricting more immediate action (via the Pacific Island Forum processes) for measures to prevent destructive fishing practices around seamounts in the Pacific. While Australia has supported the need for action in theory, it has ensured that recommendations for interim prohibitions on destructive practices did not proceed. Australia was also slack at the recent Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement meeting by not advocating the need for an interim prohibition until the agreement comes into force. Consideration of this has now been left until later in 2006. Meanwhile, destructive fishing continues daily.
It's time for Australia to join the growing numbers of countries that will support a global moratorium on high seas bottom trawling at the United Nations later this year
"Those two years has almost certainly seen species extinction and vast swathes of deep ocean ecosystem destroyed forever by bottom trawling. The UN must take the only step to stop the destruction, to establish a moratorium on high seas bottom trawling later this year," says Lyn Goldsworthy of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition Australia (of which Greenpeace is a member).
Tell the Australian environment minister to stop the clock on destructive fishing
Australia's role in the destruction
Australia, in its submission to the review, indicated it was assisting with establishing new regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). Its RFMOs reform agenda includes "moving RFMOS towards a whole of ecosystem approach to fisheries management and implementing the precautionary approach". These actions, while welcome, do not fall into the category of "urgent action" as it will take many years before they come into operation, let alone become effective governance tools.
Australia also stated that it will seek "the establishment of interim arrangements to ensure that, while the South Pacific RFMO is being developed, fish stocks are managed in a manner that does not undermine the principles of sustainable fisheries". Yet, in February, 2006, Australia joined the US and Korea in blocking a proposal from France for an immediate moratorium on destructive fishing practices while the RFMO was being negotiated and put in place.
Australia was also influential in restricting more immediate action (via the Pacific Island Forum processes) for measures to prevent destructive fishing practices around seamounts in the Pacific. While Australia has supported the need for action in theory, it has ensured that recommendations for interim prohibitions on destructive practices did not proceed. Australia was also slack at the recent Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement meeting by not advocating the need for an interim prohibition until the agreement comes into force. Consideration of this has now been left until later in 2006. Meanwhile, destructive fishing continues daily.
It's time for Australia to join the growing numbers of countries that will support a global moratorium on high seas bottom trawling at the United Nations later this year
Tell the Australian environment minister to stop the clock on destructive fishing
Read the Australian Deep Sea Conservation Coalition media release
