CONTACT: Gordon Helm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3/17/97
In response to input from the public and industry, the National Marine Fisheries Service has improved its plan for implementation of an international code of conduct that promotes the use of sound marine fisheries management measures in national and international waters. The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today that the new draft is now available for additional comment.
"We are seeking an implementation plan that provides a comprehensive ethic for the foreseeable future, and we want to ensure that we have the best document available," said Rolland Schmitten, fisheries service director.
Adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1995, the code contains six general themes for fisheries management throughout the world's marine fisheries. Prior to its adoption, the United States had provided global leadership in the code's development. "The fisheries service intends to continue this leadership as we implement the code in the U.S.," Schmitten added.
After developing its original draft implementation plan, the fisheries service sought advice from the fishing industry, environmental organizations and the public on six broad themes. These themes include emphasizing increased responsibility in fisheries management, fishing operations, aquaculture development, integration of fisheries into coastal area management, post-harvest practices, and trade and fisheries research. The fisheries service then reviewed the comments and made improvements to the first draft, and wants the public to have additional time to comment on the changes.
Although most of the code is voluntary, it includes a binding compliance agreement that established a broad range of obligations for nations that have fishing vessels operating on the high seas, including the obligation to ensure that these vessels do not undermine international fishery conservation management measures. Nations must also prohibit their vessels from fishing the high seas without specific authorization, and must take enforcement measures against vessels that disregard those rules. The United States has already implemented the compliance agreement through the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act of 1995.
The fisheries service will accept comments about the code's draft implementation plan through April 28, 1997. Comments and requests for the draft plan should be sent to: Matteo Milazzo, International Fisheries Division, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
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