Prohibition of Destructive Offshore Fishing Practices
(
Government
)
#OceanAction41696
Description
Fiji will place national prohibitions on destructive fishing practices and promote the use of sustainable fisheries. Such practices include the use of explosives, firearms, poisons and other noxious substances. Also included are drift-net fishing activities and any demersal trawling including trawling targeting benthic species. These prohibitions are established by our national fisheries laws and will be supported by Fiji's global advocacy to eradicate all forms of destructive fishing practices.
Global food demands continue to rise causing increased pressures on stocks and fisheries. We will continue to promote sustainable fisheries as the only solution.
Fiji remains concerned by the impacts of trans-boundary destructive fishing practices in areas beyond Fiji's jurisdiction. It is even more important therefore that, as a minimum, the Pacific region maintains a concerted approach to mitigate against the incidences of destructive fishing. We recognize that this will require practical enforcement mechanisms that can be agreed within the region.
Fiji's demersal water column is a clear geographical space for which there is a total prohibition on the use of demersal trawlers that also target benthic species. This is a precautionary approach by which the deep ocean is accorded full marine protection against destruction as there is a greater need for investigation through the promotion of research and data collection activities so as to facilitate the identification of vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Other: Fiji Fishing Industry Association (FFIA)
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.4 | By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics |
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
| Title | Progress Status | Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| Partnership Progress 2018-10-26 | On track |
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Entity
SDGs
Geographical coverage
Other beneficiaries
2) Fijian fishing industry
3) The general public
Ocean Basins
Website/More information
Countries
Contact Information
William Sokimi, Mr