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UNEP Workshop on Fisheries Subsidies and Sustainable Fisheries Management. World Fisheries: Current Status and Trends. Charlotte de Fontaubert, Ph.D. IUCN - Washington Office. The Numbers Game. Total World Production: 120.2 in 1996 128.8 in 2001 (+7%). But ….
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UNEP Workshop on Fisheries Subsidies and Sustainable Fisheries Management World Fisheries: Current Status and Trends Charlotte de Fontaubert, Ph.D. IUCN - Washington Office
The Numbers Game • Total World Production: • 120.2 in 1996 128.8 in 2001 (+7%) • But …. • Marine Catches: 96.9 97.6 (+0.7%) • Inland Catches: 23.3 31.2 (+ 33%) • And … • Mariculture: 10.8 15.1 (+39.8%) • Capture: 86.1 82.5 (-3.6%)
The Rules of the Game • The China Exception: • World Figures without China • Total 88.3 86 (-2.6%) • Inland 10.6 13.1 (+23%) • Marine 77.7 72.9 (-6.17%) • World Marine Figures: • Capture 73.6 67.9 (-7.75%) • Mariculture 4.1 5.0 (+21%)
Biological Indicators • Fishing pressure continues to increase • The Number of underexploited and moderately exploited stocks continues to decline slightly (25% of known stocks) • The number of fully exploited stocks remains relatively stable (47%) • The number of overexploited (18%) and significantly depleted or recovering stocks (10%) is increasing slightly
But these numbers ignore two fundamental realities: • The need for an ecosystem approach to fisheries management • The need for a precautionary approach (it’s too late once the stocks have collapsed …)
So how are things out of the water? • Governance is evolving: • Mostly at the regional level (RFMOs, SEAFO and Western and Central Pacific Ocean) • But also at the global level, through fisheries management initiatives (UNFSA, FAO IPOAs), but also through linkages with broader biodiversity issues (CBD) • And the two are intimately linked (FOCs)
Trade has become a key component of fisheries management • For better (ICCAT, CCAMLR) • Or for worse (negative impact of some subsidies - or why we are here today …) • And some would argue that the rules are still being developed (WTO v. MEAs)
The High Seas Time-bomb Some of the problems are being displaced rather than addressed (access agreements, over-capacity) The problem with seamounts and other particularly fragile areas (biodiversity dimension) What is “fueling” this development?