Over 100 delegates at the Rome meeting of the UN Food & Agriculture (FAO) Committee on Fisheries agreed to control the size of their distant-water fleets by 2005.
The countries will determine whether their national fishing fleets are too big – in terms of the amount of fish available now, and if fish stocks are allowed to recover – and reduce those that are.
Nations agreed to reduce government subsidies that foster overcapacity as a key part of implementing the plan. Delegates also agreed to develop national plans to prevent shark and seabirds (such as the endangered albatross) from being accidentally caught by longline fisheries.
Simple, inexpensive techniques such as setting lines under water, can reduce seabird bycatch by as much as 90 percent. It’s more complicated to develop
regional fisheries management agreements, and deal with “pirate vessels” that ignore international norms for responsible fishing practices.
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