Ending Open Access and Other

Ideas to Transform High Seas Fisheries

Pew Marine Fellows Annual MeetingSant Feliu de Guixols, 28 September 2010

Regularly Failing to Manage our Oceans

• single species approach as opposed to an ecosystem approach

• the more, the better (fishing lead) as opposed to precautionary

• sectoral approach as opposed to cross-sectoral

• no adequate sanctions to non-compliance

• and also unable to address equitable access

Some recent examples

• Failure to comply with UNGA resolution 61/105

• Failure to protect bluefin tuna despite huge pressure on ICCAT to do so

• Widespread expansion of FADs over the last few years

• Continued used of driftnets in the Mediterranean

• General failure to adequately protect and ensure the protection of sharks

• Fishing capacity continues to grow – Kobe

Remember it is States that are failing

• Specific countries block progress on specific issues

• We need to put pressure back in the capitals

• Consensus decision making leads to minimum common denominator

Q1. Three urgent things to change in the RFMO system

No data = no fishing

No measures = no fishing

Sanctions to non compliance including loosing access

Q2. What needs to change to make RFMOs accountable

• Regular independent reviews and make mandatory to report to the UNGA on implementation of the recommendations

• Deterrent sanctions applied also to members

Q3. What needs to change to deal effectively with IUU fishing

• Strengthen compliance committees

• Prohibit at-sea transhipments

• Link access to fishing with compliance

• Centralised VMS systems, independent observers coverage, centralised transparent MCSE system

• Enhance cooperation: ie exchange of info on compliance

• Ensure prompt entry into force of the PSA

• Technological improvements

• Eliminate OVERCAPACITY

Eliminating overcapacity

• Overcapacity cuts must be based on environmental and social criteria.

• Fishing possibilities must be commensurate with the size of a country's fleet.

• A global record of fishing vessels could facilitate the process

• It must be mandatory that RFMOs records need to be updated and contain all relevant information

Q4. How can we make governments care about long-term sustainability and show leadership

• Expose corruption and collusion between the fishing industry and Governments

• Educate the public

• Work with all actors (ie retailers, traders,...)

Improving RFMO performance

• Enhance cooperation among RFMOs and with other organizations

• Review and update RFMO basic texts

• Comply with UNFSA

• Adopt modern principles such as ABM, EIAs and SEAs

• Make quick progress in implementing ABM

• establish and independent mechanism to make mandatory to adhere to best available scientific advice

Bringing pressure from outside

• Regular independent reviews and make mandatory to report to the UNGA on implementation of the recommendations

• Look at more over-arching solutions: integration of environmental and fisheries management organizations

• New framework: new implementing agreement of UNCLOS provisions related to the conservation and sustainable use of marine diversity.