FISHERIES

The Indigenous Peoples recorded a major breakthrough at the ongoing World Summit on Sustainable Development, when a provision calling for restoration of depleted fisheries not later than 2015 was agreed to by the negotiators.

The Agreement was the last in a series of provisions that recognizes that the world's oceans and fisheries are in trouble and need urgent attention.

The concern has been one of the issues on the top of the agenda of the Indigenous Peoples as contained in their Kimberley Declaration.

United Nations studies have shown that three-quarters of the world's fisheries, are presently fished beyond their sustainable levels. The situation has been compounded by biodiversity and environmental degradation resulting from development activities.

An Indigenous delegate, from New Zealand and an activist on issues concerning fisheries conservation and restoration, Pauline Tangiora, termed the move as a major step towards responsible management of fisheries.

"This agreement provides us with crucial underpinning for government action, the depletion of fisheries poses a major threat to the food supply to millions of people, and with the agreement, we hope it will now stop," Tangiora said.

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Copyright Natalie Drache 1999