A/RES/70/75
Sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation
and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, and related instruments
111. Urges States, individually and through regional fisheries management
organizations and arrangements, to adopt effective measures, or strengthen existing
measures, to implement and enforce the provisions of resolution 46/215 and
subsequent resolutions on large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing in order to eliminate
the use of large-scale pelagic drift nets in all seas and oceans, which means that
efforts to implement resolution 46/215 should not result in the transfer to other parts
of the world of drift nets that contravene the resolution;
112. Also urges States, individually and through regional fisheries
management organizations and arrangements, to adopt effective measures, or
strengthen existing measures, to implement and enforce the present global
moratorium on the use of large-scale pelagic drift nets on the high seas, and calls
upon States to ensure that vessels flying their flag that are duly authorized to use
large-scale drift nets in waters under their national jurisdiction do not use such gear
for fishing while on the high seas;
VIII
Fisheries by-catch and discards
113. Urges States, subregional and regional fisheries management
organizations and arrangements and other relevant international organizations that
have not done so to take action, including with consideration of the interests of
developing coastal States and, as appropriate, subsistence fishing com munities, to
minimize by-catch, as well as to reduce or eliminate catch by lost or abandoned
gear, fish discards and post-harvest losses, including of juvenile fish, consistent with
international law and relevant international instruments, including the Co de, and in
particular to consider measures including, as appropriate, technical measures related
to fish size, mesh size or gear, discards, closed seasons and areas and zones reserved
for selected fisheries, particularly artisanal fisheries, the establishm ent of
mechanisms for communicating information on areas of high concentration of
juvenile fish, taking into account the importance of ensuring the confidentiality of
such information, and support for studies and research that will minimize by -catch
of juvenile fish, and to ensure that these measures are implemented so as to optimize
their effectiveness;
114. Encourages in this regard States, individually or through regional
fisheries management organizations and arrangements, as appropriate, to ensure
proper implementation and enforcement of the measures they have taken with regard
to by-catch and discards;
115. Welcomes the commitment of States in “The future we want” to enhance
action to manage by-catch, discards and other adverse ecosystem impacts from
fisheries, including by eliminating destructive fishing practices, consistent with
international law, the applicable international instruments and relevant General
Assembly resolutions and guidelines of the Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations;
116. Calls upon States, either individually, collectively or through regional
fisheries management organizations and arrangements, to further study, develop and
adopt effective management measures, taking into account the best available
scientific information on fishing methods, including fish aggregating devices, to
minimize by-catch;
117. Also calls upon States, either individually, collectively or through
regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements, to collect the
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