UN negotiations to adopt a moratorium on high-seas bottom trawling were torpedoed today, as a small number of influential fishing nations led by Iceland put the interests of their fishing fleets above other countries, the consensus of the marine scientific community and conservationists.
"The international community should be outraged that Iceland could almost single-handedly sink deep-sea protection, scuttling hopes for what could have been a much needed sea change in international oceans policy," said Sarah Duthie, Greenpeace UK, Oceans Campaigner.
While countries including the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Island States, the United States, Brazil, India, South Africa and Chile supported strong action at the UN, their drive to win consensus at all costs has resulted in a terribly weak outcome at a critical juncture.
"They should be deeply embarrassed that they did not stand up to them and fight for the future of the oceans. This should be seen as a wake up call given that Iceland has recently flouted the IWC moratorium and killed endangered fin whales. Iceland will undoubtedly lead the way with Japan at the IWC in May, for a full scale resumption of commercial whaling.
"If effective measures are to be agreed to safeguard our oceans, progressive countries like the UK must raise their game or accept defeat," continued Duthie.
Countries that are committed to supporting a moratorium must now seize the opportunity to protect vulnerable habitats from destructive fishing by tightening market access to bottom-trawled fish and pressing for the establishment of a global network of marine reserves across the world's oceans. The UN Fisheries Resolution is due to be adopted by the General Assembly on December 7th.
Images and video footage available.
Contacts:
Greenpeace UK press office: 020 7865 8255
Karen Sack, Greenpeace International Oceans Policy Advisor in New York: +1 202 4155403
