New evidence to show the urgent need for marine reserves in the Pacific, as part of a global network of protection, was presented by Greenpeace to the officials who can make or break the future of tuna in the Pacific.
The Technical Compliance Committee of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was shown documentation of illegal transshipments and blatant abuses of loopholes in the current regulations governing high seas areas between Pacific island exclusive economic zones (EEZ). All the infringements and destruction can be ended if the Commission members were serious about protecting the Pacific tuna resources.
"The evidence continues to mount for the urgent need to close all four high seas pockets to all fishing activities," said Duncan Williams, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Oceans Campaigner in Phonapei. "These areas continue to be used as loophole that clearly contributes to illicit fishing activities in the region".
The Greenpeace ship Esperanza also documented the failure of a two-month ban on fish aggregation devices (FADs). Because of the short time frame many FADs were left in the water, continuing to attract and collect fish and other marine life. Some operators simply ignored the ban and others took advantage of unfair exemptions.
"Scientists have advised to totally ban FADs with purse seining in the region and do so for good reason," said Sari Tolvanen, Greenpeace International Oceans Campaigner. "If the WCPFC is serious about protecting the precious tuna stocks of the Pacific, it must close the four high seas pockets, and outside those pockets halve the fishing effort and ban transfers of fish and fuel at sea which facilitates pirate fishing."
Greenpeace is campaigning for a global network of fully protected marine reserves, covering 40 per cent of our oceans. They are essential to ensure clean and healthy oceans and protect marine life from overfishing and habitat destruction. Healthy oceans can also play a vital role in building resilience against the devastating effects of climate change.
The Technical Compliance Committee of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was shown documentation of illegal transshipments and blatant abuses of loopholes in the current regulations governing high seas areas between Pacific island exclusive economic zones (EEZ). All the infringements and destruction can be ended if the Commission members were serious about protecting the Pacific tuna resources.
"The evidence continues to mount for the urgent need to close all four high seas pockets to all fishing activities," said Duncan Williams, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Oceans Campaigner in Phonapei. "These areas continue to be used as loophole that clearly contributes to illicit fishing activities in the region".
The Greenpeace ship Esperanza also documented the failure of a two-month ban on fish aggregation devices (FADs). Because of the short time frame many FADs were left in the water, continuing to attract and collect fish and other marine life. Some operators simply ignored the ban and others took advantage of unfair exemptions.
"Scientists have advised to totally ban FADs with purse seining in the region and do so for good reason," said Sari Tolvanen, Greenpeace International Oceans Campaigner. "If the WCPFC is serious about protecting the precious tuna stocks of the Pacific, it must close the four high seas pockets, and outside those pockets halve the fishing effort and ban transfers of fish and fuel at sea which facilitates pirate fishing."
Greenpeace is campaigning for a global network of fully protected marine reserves, covering 40 per cent of our oceans. They are essential to ensure clean and healthy oceans and protect marine life from overfishing and habitat destruction. Healthy oceans can also play a vital role in building resilience against the devastating effects of climate change.
