Foreign Ministers of Four Pacific Coast Countries Make Joint Declaration on High Seas Fishing
November 4, 2020 – 10:44 am
Najas Palace, seat of the Ecuadorian Chancellery, in Quito. Irina Jaramillo
Quito – A five-point statement was issued Tuesday, November 3, by the foreign ministers of Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Peru regarding the fishing of foreign vessels in the areas adjacent to the waters under the national jurisdiction of each country and discusses taking coordinated measures to prevent the Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The document indicates that the four countries are concerned about the recurring presence of fleets of foreign-flagged vessels, which are carrying out fishing activities in the high seas areas adjacent to the marine areas under national jurisdiction, which would put the conservation and sustainable use of the hydrobiological resources of the marine environment beyond its jurisdictional waters.
In the second point, they also point to concern about the increase in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities of highly migratory species and straddling populations in the areas adjacent to marine areas under national jurisdiction.
In the third and fourth points, they express the “firm will” to take measures to prevent, discourage and jointly confront IUU fishing activities, which threaten the conservation and sustainable use of the hydrobiological resources of the marine environment beyond the marine zones under national jurisdiction, and the need to optimize mechanisms for coordination, cooperation and exchange of information in real time to promote the adoption of rapid and efficient measures at the local and regional level.
Finally, they express their willingness to hold meetings of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, in order to work together, join forces and consolidate common interests aimed at ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of existing marine resources in the region.
This is one of the actions carried out by the Foreign Ministry of Ecuador, after the passage of the foreign fishing fleet between July and August near the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Galapagos.
DECLARATION
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility Joint Declaration of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ecuador, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Chile and the Republic of Peru regarding the fishing of foreign vessels in the areas adjacent to the waters under national jurisdiction of each country.
Quito, November 3, 2020
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ecuador, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Chile and the Republic of Peru, after an exchange of opinions on the measures aimed at addressing the problem of activities that may be considered as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), of marine resources in high seas areas adjacent to marine areas under national jurisdiction.
Reaffirming its commitment to the conservation of the ocean and the sustainable use of its resources;
Also reaffirming the legitimate interests of the Republics of Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Peru regarding the preservation and sustainable use of hydrobiological resources in the areas adjacent to maritime spaces under national jurisdiction and respect for internal and international standards that are applicable;
Ratifying the importance of sustainable fishing in accordance with the pertinent international instruments, and in compliance with the conservation measures of the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO);
Considering that on July 29, 2020, in the framework of the XXVIII Meeting of the Executive Committee of the CPPS, the Decision was approved that condemned any act that could be considered as IUU fishing that takes place in the areas adjacent to the jurisdictional waters of the member countries of the CPPS;
Taking into account, also, that on August 5, 2020, at the XIII Extraordinary Assembly of the CPPS, the Declaration on IUU fishing was adopted, which called on States to respect and enforce international law on fishing activities , including the relevant RFMO conservation measures, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), among other relevant instruments; called on other international organizations to join forces and support sustainable fishing policies at the regional level; and called for the improvement of monitoring and surveillance systems for fishing activities that take place in the Southeast Pacific;
DECLARE:
- Their concern about the recurring presence of fleets of foreign-flagged fishing vessels, which are carrying out fishing activities in the high seas areas adjacent to the marine areas under national jurisdiction of the Republics of Ecuador, Colombia, Chile and Peru, they would put at risk the conservation and sustainable use of the hydrobiological resources of the marine environment beyond its jurisdictional waters. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility
- Likewise, its concern about the increase in IUU fishing activities of highly migratory species and straddling populations in the areas adjacent to marine areas under national jurisdiction.
- The firm will to take measures to prevent, discourage and jointly confront IUU fishing activities, which threaten the conservation and sustainable use of the hydrobiological resources of the marine environment beyond the marine areas under national jurisdiction.
- The need to optimize the mechanisms for coordination, cooperation and exchange of information in real time, in order to reveal alleged IUU fishing practices and promote the adoption of rapid and efficient measures at the local and regional level.
- The willingness to hold meetings of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, in order to work together, join efforts and consolidate common interests aimed at ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of existing marine resources in the region.
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