Page 27 - IB June July 2024

Oceans and Fisheries

PACIFIC NATIONS STAND FIRM ON FISHERIES
AND OCEANS PROTECTION

Continued from page 22 step forward in global marine conservation efforts.
This legally binding instrument aims to protect marine
weight of unsustainable practices promoted by distant water biodiversity and manage resources in areas beyond national
fleets,” he said. jurisdiction, which cover nearly 50% of the planet’s surface.
However, developing indigenous tuna industries to reduce “The BBNJ Agreement provides an armoury of conservation
reliance on distant water fleets remains a significant tools, strategies, and mechanisms, including a comprehensive
challenge. system of high-seas marine protected areas,” said Dr Sarah
“The idea of developing our own value chain for fisheries Lothian, a senior lecturer at the University of Wollongong in
within the Pacific is not just an economic strategy but a moral Australia.
imperative,” Kamikamica emphasised in Abu Dhabi. “This instrument signifies a pivotal turning point in the
“It offers our nations the opportunity to retain greater protection of our deep ocean environment,” she told Islands
economic benefits from our natural resources and mitigate Business.
the risks posed by unsustainable foreign fishing practices. The treaty aims to ensure an equitable distribution of
“A cap on subsidies would allow a Pacific fishing industry benefits among all states by addressing the urgent need for
to compete with those subsidised by the likes of the United sustainable management of marine genetic resources.
States, China, Japan, and the European Union.” “Under the BBNJ Agreement, states will be required to
Kamikamica advocated for regional collaboration between fairly and equitably share both monetary and non-monetary
Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji to combat overcapacity and benefits arising from activities concerning marine genetic
promote sustainable fishing practices, underscoring concerns resources,” Dr Lothian elaborated.
about sovereignty and equitable resource management. However, challenges lie ahead. “Although we have reached
According to Jope Tarai, a Fijian PhD student at the the finish line in terms of finalising an instrument, the real
Australian National University specialising in fisheries, the challenge will be getting states to sign on, ratify, and abide by
failure to reach an agreement on fisheries subsidies leaves it,” Dr Lothian said.
Pacific fisheries exposed to formidable external competition. “One of the questions that looms large is how the
“Without agreed controls, our local industries face immense new agreement will interact with existing instruments,
business risks. Survival cannot be guaranteed. frameworks, and bodies that already regulate and
“Distant Water Fishing Nations (DWFNs) thrive due to manage specific activities in marine areas beyond national
financial backing from their states, enabling them to jurisdiction.”
maximise extractive fishing efforts.” Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni, has praised
This, he said, exacerbates ecological risks and threatens the Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia for ratifying
economic stability of Pacific states reliant on fisheries. the agreement, emphasising the ongoing support provided to
Tarai also warned that because of unregulated subsidies: members through the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Blue Pacific
“Increased fishing pressure could lead to overfishing and Strategy.
depletion of Pacific fisheries, which are crucial to our “We are working closely with members and partners to
economies.” provide support through webinars and workshops and deliver
He stressed the urgent need for effective regulation to on national expectations surrounding the BBNJ process,” he
safeguard both marine ecosystems and economic interests. said.
Tarai suggested leveraging regional forums such as the
FFA (Forum Fisheries Agency) and PNA (Parties to the Nauru Marine protected areas
Agreement). In March this year, Dr Mark John Costello, a professor
“These can adjust fishing arrangements to mitigate at Norway’s Nord University, led a global study that
pressures from DWFNs.” comprehensively assessed marine protected areas (MPAs) on
“DWFN’s fishing effort, number of licensed vessels, six continents.
vessel size, capacity, technology, etc., and days of access, His study found that MPAs significantly boost local and
just to name a few, can specify these arrangements,” said national economies by reviving fish stocks and generating
Wolfenden. substantial tourism revenue.
However, Tarai cautioned that such adjustments Costello stated: “For far too long, we have overlooked
require careful consideration due to potential domestic marine parks as GDP generators and job creators.
vulnerabilities. “In every corner of the globe, ocean protection boosts
economies. This study offers the strongest evidence yet that
The BBNJ Agreement protecting the ocean replenishes it with abundant fish, shields
Meanwhile, the recent adoption of the BBNJ Agreement, it against climate change, and boosts economies.”
formally known as the High Seas Treaty, marks a significant Published in Scientia Marina, the study reviewed 200

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