Topic: Protecting International Fisheries
Country: Norway
Delegate Name: Priya Patel
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Norway position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
Over the last few decades, fisheries’ unsustainable production has caused environmental damage and depletion of the fish stocks. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported 81.5 million tons in global fisheries production, however 30% of global fisheries are being harvested at an unsustainable rate.These actions today put future generations dependent on fisheries at risk. Regulations are not as strict as they should be due to factors, such as underreporting of fish catches, that distort the data and allows for an inaccurate optimistic view of the health of global fisheries to be adopted. Additionally, considering the vastness and unfamiliarity of the ocean, it is very difficult to accurately monitor fish stocks and enforce supervisory measures.
With over 83,000 km of coastline and around 2 million km² of sea under its jurisdiction, Norway is one of the world’s leading producers of marine fisheries and aquaculture products. Fisheries play a key social and economic role and promote settlement and employment along the Norwegian coast. Norway places high priority on environmental considerations and fish health and welfare in their fisheries sector. We promote sustainable and environmentally friendly fishery management through the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs. As a progressive country in environmental management, Norway became the first country in the world to establish a Ministry of Fisheries in 1946. The Norwegian fishing industry is highly regulated by quotas determined by recommendations from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and licensing requirements. Research about the marine environment and resources, as well as species interactions, is conducted by the Directorate of Fisheries and the Institute of Marine Research, which was established in 1900. As 90% of Norway’s fisheries harvest stocks are shared with other nations, international cooperation is vital to the Norwegian management regime. All Norwegian and foreign fishing vessels on Norwegian fishing waters are subject to strict controls and annual Coast Guard inspections. Fisheries outside of national economic zones are managed by the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commision (NEAFC) in cooperation with coastal states. Norway was one of the first nations to sign and ratify the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in 22 November 2009. Norway is also Party to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and to the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement.
Norway supports efforts to regulate fishery production and combat unsustainable practices. We are engaged in working against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Quotas are implemented in our country, and they are set in cooperation with other countries such as Russia, France, Iceland, Greenland, and the EU. Norway recommends that the UN strictly enforce the international law laid down by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the UN Fish Stocks Agreement. Participation in cooperation with the FAO of the UN is also important in regulating fisheries. The UN could consider overseeing negotiation of agreements between countries regarding management regimes and quota distribution if necessary. The UN needs to step in to combat the growing threat posed by unsustainable fishery production internationally.
