Mr. Anthony D. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of the Second London Oceans Workshop. [65307]
§ Mr. MealeWith Dr. Bernardes, the Brazilian Deputy Minister of the Environment, I had the pleasure of chairing the Second London Oceans Workshop on 10–12 December. The Workshop was attended by representatives nominated by 40 national governments, 14 international agencies and 14 non-governmental organisations.
The theme of the Workshop was the integration of the management of the oceans. The main conclusions started by emphasising the role of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Against this background, the two major problems for the conservation and sustainable use of the seas were seen as over-fishing and other unsustainable fishing practices together with pollution from land-based activities. Shipping, exploitation of sea-bed minerals (including oil and gas), coastal development, dumping of waste and climate change are also sources of problems that need to be addressed.
At the national level, Governments were called on to consider the social economic and environmental values of coastal and marine ecosystems, how to achieve the integrated approach as called for by Programme Area A of Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 (including the involvement of all stakeholders), how to join in international agreements already negotiated and how to report on the status of their seas. International organisations were requested to analyse what is hindering the wider acceptance of international agreements and to consider what can be done to remove the obstacles.
The workshop agreed that the regional level was where international co-operation was most needed. UNEP was called upon to revitalise the Regional Seas Programme and to ensure there was a clear focus for the related tasks. Regional fisheries organisations were requested to adopt clear targets for achieving sustainable catches and to develop indicators for over-fishing. Integrated coastal zone management needed support at the regional level. For shipping, more effective port-state control networks were needed, together with action on the regulation of fleets, alien species, anti-fouling agents and registers.
In the global context, the workshop called for immediate action to implement recent UN fisheries agreements. The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries was also crucial. Revitalising the Global Programme of Action on Land-Based Activities was essential. The environmental management of offshore oil and gas required further initiatives to follow up the success of the Noordwijk Workshop. Because of the range 61W of interests and organisations necessarily involved, improved coordination is needed. The UN General Assembly should consider how the annual debate on the oceans and the law of the sea can be broadened and better prepared.