The strange-looking deep sea creature known as the Blobfish (Genus Psychrolutes).
But the proposed moratorium on high-seas bottom trawling was
harpooned today at the UN, as Iceland put the interests of their
fishing fleets above other countries and scientific advice (sound
familiar?).
Even Canada and Spain came around in the end.
But Iceland destroyed its own reputation as a nation with
responsible fishing policies. Iceland has blood on its hands: The
fate of 64 percent of the world's oceans, and the food security of
future generations.
Karen Sack, our Oceans Policy Advisor, said after an all-night
wait at the UN: "The final agreement has more loopholes in it than
a fisherman's sweater, and it does nothing to significantly change
the way our oceans are managed." That's exceptionally bad news
considering that a recent scientific evaulation has shown that if
nothing changes, most
commercial fisheries will have collapsed by 2048.
Don't blame Canada, blame Iceland
Thanks to Ocean Defenders, scientists, journalists and South
Park fans all over the globe, as well as enthusiastic "squid" and
"orange roughy" handing out leaflets to New York taxi drivers, even
Canada and Spain supported strong action at the UN in the end. In
the last two weeks alone, Canada and Spain have received 71,266
emails from Ocean Defenders! Other supporters included Australia,
New Zealand, the Pacific Island States, the USA, Brazil, India,
South Africa, Chile, Germany and the EU. However, their drive to
win consensus at all costs has resulted in a weakly worded, useless
piece of paper that will allow for the unregulated plunder of the
high seas.
Maybe Iceland should have listened to one of itsown fishermen,
thanks to him we have underwater video of a bottom trawling. Watch
his reactionwhen he sees what bottom trawling is doing to
theseabed:
"The international community should be outraged that Iceland
could almost singlehandedly sink deep-sea protection and the food
security of future generations. Iceland should be embarrassed as
should all those states that did not stand up to them and fight for
the future of the oceans," Karen adds.
Arrogance and ignorance
Iceland and it's fishing cronies, opposed to the UN moratorium
on high-seas bottom trawling, should realize that for the sake of
their own future industries, this cannot continue. The oceans are
not a bottomless resource- as recent scientific reports have
confirmed (not that Iceland apparently pays much attention to
scientists, having just ignored 1500 of them). Economically
speaking, the high-seas
bottom trawl fleet would operate at a loss without the
substantial subsidies it receives. Of course apart from just
commerical interests, the as-yet undiscovered ecosystems of the
deep sea are at stake.
Iceland showed even more arrogance in asking why Canada and
Spain had got all the negative press, according to UN sources.
Perhaps because so far they have constantly insisted that they are
supportive of well-managed fisheries. Today they showed their true
colours.
All is not lost
All of the countries that committed to supporting a moratorium
now have the opportunity to protect vulnerable habitats from
destructive fishing by tightening market access to bottom-trawled
fish. These countries can also support the establishment of a
global network of marine reserves across the world's oceans,
and make sure that their nations are not involved in high seas
bottom trawl fishing. They can also implement strong measures
regionally to protect the deep-seas.
See the Blame Canada animation
While Canada is no longer the worst offender in terms of supporting bottom trawling, the Blame Canada video is still relevant. Check it out here.