The Navy’s Insular Operations Command increased its patrolling due to the presence of the Chinese fleet near the Galapagos. (Courtesy Armada Nacional)
Ecuador will make two proposals to improve fishing control in the South Pacific during international forum
January 19, 2021 – 04:06 PM
Quito -In the IX Meeting of the Commission of the Regional Organization of Fisheries Management of the South Pacific -OROP-PS, which will take place between tomorrow, January 20 and February 3, Ecuador will present two proposals to improve fishing control offshore of this sector of the ocean.
The first proposal will be to establish a mandatory transshipment regime for fishery products caught within the area of jurisdiction of the PS-RFMO – only in ports authorized by the Non-Contracting Collaborating Parties; and, second, to improve the control and traceability of the giant squid resource caught in the area of jurisdiction of the SP-RFMO, through gradual implementation until reaching a coverage percentage of 100% of the on-board observer program, in accordance with with guidelines established in 2019 and through a gradual increase regime applicable to 6 years.
This is one of the international actions that Ecuador implements in order to conserve marine species outside the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of both the Galapagos Archipelago and Continental Ecuador; meanwhile, it continues in direct talks with China about the international fishing fleet, mostly under the Chinese flag, which is established very close to the EEZ of the Islands.
At the moment, China continues with the position regarding the sovereignty and control of non-incursion to the EEZs of Ecuador and against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), and Ecuador maintains that it will “prevail its rights maritime over its EEZ, without distinction of flag “. However, the international fishing fleet, mostly China, operates outside the Ecuadorian EEZs.
The PS-RFMO is an intergovernmental body that aims to guarantee the conservation and long-term sustainable use of fishery resources in the South Pacific Ocean and is made up of fifteen members, including: Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Australia, Republic People’s China, the European Union, South Korea, Denmark, New Zealand, Cuba, Russia, Chinese Taipei, the United States, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. Decisions are made by a favorable majority vote.
Regarding the return of the foreign fleet to the northeast of Galapagos, as reported in an appearance to the Assembly, the Minister of Defense, Oswaldo Jarrín, the Foreign Ministry reiterated that Ecuador has monitored and guaranteed that these ships do not violate national sovereignty.
“The Ministry of Foreign Relations and Human Mobility reiterates that foreign vessels did not enter Ecuador’s jurisdictional waters or carry out fishing activities in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Thanks to the technical surveillance and monitoring capacity of the Ecuadorian Navy, established that the aforementioned vessels are not fishing vessels, but cargo vessels and that these were limited to transit in international waters outside the EEZ, “the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Read the original coverage from El Universo at : https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2021/01/19/nota/9594925/ecuador-propuestas-mejorar-control-pesca-orop-pacifico-sur-manana
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