Topic: Protecting International Fisheries
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Jessica Robach
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Germany position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
The fishing industry has proven to be profoundly unsustainable for the environment on a global scale. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that more than 30% of all international fisheries were harvesting at biologically unsustainable rates. The FAO has also concluded that the problem at hand may not be fully represented by the current statistics. A statement issued by the organization showed a correlated increase in the percentage of unsustainably harvested fisheries of more than 50%. This is due to the alarming fact that many of the FAO’s current numbers are subject to underreporting. While we acknowledge that the profits of the fisheries industry positively impact the economic well being of many nations, it is imperative to note the drastic environmental repercussions that unsustainable harvests can cause. Current practices can result in bottom trawling, ocean habitat degradation, and the endangerment of fish populations. This in turn threatens people throughout the world who depend on the fish as a food source. Thus, it is crucial that a solution be implemented that preserves both economic prosperity and environmental protection. The delegation of Germany strongly promotes the belief that the fisheries industry can only have a stable future if practices are conducted in a sustainable manner. In Germany, aquaculture is a relatively small industry, practiced only in a few specifically suited areas. Although this is not a prominent industry within Germany, the delegation recognizes the economic importance it holds to a multitude of regions throughout the world. The Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food, and Agriculture (FMCPFA) is the authority on fisheries and aquaculture at the federal level in Germany. The primary mission of this governmental organization is to draft policies and guidelines that promote environmentally conscious fishery and aquaculture practices. The delegation also looks very favorably upon the UN Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (FAO 1995) and strongly supports the policies outlined within it. It is imperative that the delegation of Germany works alongside the global community to ensure the implementation of environmentally sustainable fishery practices. The delegation plans to employ efforts not only to protect the economic benefits, but also to significantly mitigate the environmental repercussions resulting from fisheries and aquaculture. These efforts will facilitate and promote technical, financial and other cooperation in conservation of fisheries resources and fisheries management and development. This can be achieved by governmental consultation, allocation of additional resources, implementation of policies, and enforcement if necessary. Further correspondence with the European Union will encourage countries to regulate quotas with increased intervention. Principles can be established with several delegations in the accordance with relevant rules of international law pertaining to the subject. The delegation plans to employ governmental organizations such as FMCPFA to address the domestic affairs of fisheries, and calls upon the international community to uphold sustainable practices across the globe.
