Nations Unite To Ban Destructive Fishing Technique

An agreement between 21 nations has banned the highly destructive commercial fishing practice known as bottom trawling in the South Pacific seas, which accounts for more than one-quarter of the world's oceans.

1 minute read

May 8, 2007, 8:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"It will close to bottom-trawling areas where vulnerable marine ecosystems are known or are likely to exist, unless a prior assessment is undertaken and highly precautionary protective measures are implemented."

"The landmark deal will restrict bottom-trawling, which experts say destroys coral reefs and stirs up clouds of sediment that suffocate marine life."

"The new agreement is among members of the fledgling South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization: Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Ecuador, the European Commission, Federated States of Micronesia, France, Japan, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, the United States and Vanuatu."

Monday, May 7, 2007 in BBC

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