News International & Trade Conservation Organizations: NAFO Falls Short on Deep-Sea Protections |
Conservation Organizations: NAFO Falls Short on Deep-Sea Protections |
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HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Sept. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 33rd annual meeting of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) ended today with countries failing to agree on significant, additional measures to safeguard vulnerable deep-sea marine ecosystems. While NAFO has made progress since 2006 in closing certain seamounts and areas of corals and sponges to fishing—including deciding at this year's meeting to extend those closures until 2014—it has not yet fully implemented a comprehensive assessment of fragile high-seas ecosystems. This was a requirement of the United Nations (U.N.) sustainable fisheries resolutions adopted in 2006 and 2009.
"While we recognize many of the steps NAFO has taken, the fact is that the deep sea doesn't have time for bureaucratic bickering. We are pleased that NAFO agreed to gather more comprehensive information on the types of species and ecosystems that may be vulnerable to damage by bottom fisheries," said Susanna Fuller, marine conservation coordinator for the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax. "But specific measures taken at this meeting – such as reducing the amounts of sponges caught in a trawl that triggers a vessel to move away from an area from 800kg to 600kg and 400kg in new fishing areas – are not scientifically based and still far too high." Read the complete story from The Sacramento Bee.
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HASTINGS: Time to improve the Endangered Species Act
May 18, 2012 - When the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law in 1973 by President Nixon, he spoke about the importance of preserving “the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” I believe that goal is as important today as it was back then. However, after nearly 40 years, it’s time to take a fresh, honest look at the law and consider whether there are ways it could be improved to do a better job of protecting and recovering species.
