More good news from Birdlife South Africa. The South African government is in the process of forming a Marine Protected Area around the Prince Edward Island group (breeding site for King, Gentoo, Rockhopper and Macaroni Penguins, Wandering, Grey-headed and Sooty Albatross amongst other species). Equally exciting, 17 Pacific Island nations have pulled together to stop tuna purse-seine fishing in approximately 20 million square miles of ocean! Here’s a portion of the press release:
The collapse or near-collapse of many of the world’s most economically-important tuna stocks prompted the establishment of RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organisations). These are supposed to set quotas based on scientific evidence to ensure recovery and sustainable harvesting. However, most RFMOs have become mired in political battles, and the tuna fleets continue to clear the seas as fast as possible. South Africa is a member of several RFMOs, including ICCAT (Atlantic Ocean) and CCAMLR (Southern Ocean).
South Africa is in the process of establishing one of the world’s largest MPAs, in our territorial waters around Marion and Prince Edward islands. Mark Anderson, Executive Director of BirdLife South Africa said “This will become one of just a handful of MPAs in the Southern Ocean. BirdLife South Africa commends government for this visionary action and believes that seabirds and other marine life will benefit significantly”.
At a commission meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Korea last month, 17 Pacific island nations brought forward an ambitious resolution – to close 20 million square miles of ocean to tuna purse-seine fishing. Some powerful fishing nations strongly opposed this measure. However, the islanders had an ace up their sleeves. They pointed out that much of the proposed closed area was within their combined EEZs, and they were no longer issuing permits to fish there anyway. It was clear that the closed area would mostly clear out pirate fishing vessels. Eventually the opposition capitulated, and the resolution was passed. [Read the full press release here]
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