okonjoiweala17_Yao FengVCG via Getty Images_overfishing

Jedinečná příležitost ukončit škodlivé rybářské dotace

Jul 14, 2021 Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

ŽENEVA – Nestává se často, aby obchodní vyjednavači měli šanci souběžně ochránit zranitelné lidi a jejich obživu, podpořit zdravější oceány a splnit jeden z Cílů udržitelného rozvoje Organizace spojených národů. Přesně taková příležitost se ale naskýtá ministrům obchodu, kteří se tento týden sejdou na půdě Světové obchodní organizace, aby probrali nová globální pravidla omezující vládní podporu pro rybářský průmysl.

Tyto veřejné subvence pobízejí k nadměrnému rybolovu a členové WTO o jejich omezení debatují už 20 let. Během těchto dlouhých dvou desítek let prudce ubylo globálních zásob ryb a společně s mořskými ekosystémy trpí zranitelní drobní rybáři.

Organizace OSN pro výživu zemědělství (FAO) v roce 2017 varovala, že ve zhruba třetině celosvětových zásob ryb dochází k nadměrnému odlovu, přitom v roce 1970 se tak dělo u 10 % a v roce 2000 u 27 %. Ztenčování rybích zásob ohrožuje potravinovou bezpečnost pobřežních komunit s nízkými příjmy a živobytí chudých a zranitelných rybářů, kteří jsou nuceni vyjíždět dál a dál od břehu, jen aby přiváželi menší a menší úlovky.

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Abhijit Das Jul 18, 2021

Anyone with even a nodding familiarity with negotiations on fisheries subsidies will be able to spot huge loopholes in the latest negotiating text. It will allow countries to continue to provide huge subsidies for enhancing fishing capacities, provided they are able to demonstrate sustainable fishing. Thus, those who have contributed to the problem of overfished stocks in the past, can now hide behind sustainable fishing and management regime to continue with expanding fishing fleets with the help of generous government handouts. If the text as it exists today, becomes the final agreement then it will have one main consequence - developed countries with huge fishing fleets (created on government subsidies) will have a free run of the oceans, while developing countries will not be able to create fishing fleets without government support.

Another problem with the latest negotiating text is that it almost turns a blind eye to the problems caused by distant water fishing, particularly by the European Union, in African waters.

Sorry, Madam DG. The claim that you are trying to make about the progress in negotiations will not do much for sustainable fishing. It will only sustain the capacity of a handful of countries, particularly the developed countries, to continue to deplete fish stocks.
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Elizabeth Pula Jul 15, 2021

A system for reliable tracking of each ship/boat when exiting port, and then unloading tonnage when offloading at port is essential to establish better accountability affecting "depletion allowances" and any redistribution of monies to allow the small-scale artisanal fishing opportunity by subsidies. It also may help if certain territories of the ocean are only permitted for fishing rights at certain times. Setting up zones or quadrants, with only certain permitted and tracked vessels could help. Monitoring can be done via "radio" signal/ or data record that HAS to be turned in with catch. No excuses. Set up a system of "charges" and fees. If the individual craft balk at paying, if corporate entities balk, if individual states balk, then hold up any IMF grants. Annual international "TAXES" can be implemented. Keep the record transparent and totally accountable at all stage of the game and any and every trip from and to port. EVENT RECORDERS can be an essential accountability device, if not turned in, or lost, even if the ship/boat sinks, set up a phenomenal FEE regime that each nation's government is required to pay to WTO to be redistributed to the most needy artisanal fishing area each year on a rotational basis.

Transform the ocean ways from being essentially a pirated garbage zone/s into accountable "FISHING RIGHTS" territories. Start using chemically coded tracking in manufactured plastics etc. so any garbage debris can be scanned and reveal source of products. Manufacturers or states get fined if their garbage is in the ocean or in fish, and other aquatic life. Same goes for "sewage" from cruise and ocean liners. That raw sewage can be encoded and tracked. It is humanly possible.
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