Brussels, 23/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - In New York last week the European Community and the fifteen Member States simultaneously ratified the 1995 United Nations Agreement on the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks at the United Nations headquarters. This Agreement, which entered into force at the end of 2001, aims to ensure the sustainable use and development of the seas and their resources. This is in application of the provisions under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks, that is stocks which move both within and beyond exclusive economic zones (EEZ), and highly migratory fish such as tuna. "I very much welcome the ratification of this agreement. It could not have happened one day too soon. It demonstrates the EU's commitment to achieving sustainable fisheries through multilateral co-operation", commented Commissioner Franz Fischler.
The Agreement, signed in New York in 1995, spells out the rights and obligations of coastal states and of states whose vessels fish on the high seas to ensure the conservation and management of fish stocks through international co-operation. It also encourages co-operation among Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFOs) and underlines the fundamental role that they have to play in this area in terms of observation, control and inspection of fisheries activities. The Agreement also contributes to the fight against illegal fishing and flags of convenience vessels by introducing in the international legal framework procedures for the control of fishing activities on the high seas. The application of the Agreement is an important step in strengthening the international legal framework as is provides for multilateral co-operation, implementation of the precautionary approach, implementation and enforcement of conservation and management measures through monitoring, control and surveillance and the obligation to settle disputes by peaceful means.
The Commission points out, however, that much remains to be done to fill in the legal gaps, strengthen international co-operation and implementation and improve the sustainability of fish stocks. The EU has made the fight against illegal fishing one of its top priorities. On its initiative, the main Regional Fisheries Organisations have adopted measures to tackle more effectively the destructive practices of flag of convenience vessels and to strengthen controls both at sea and in ports.