Press Release: Commission calls for effective international action against destructive deep sea fishing practices

On 4 and 5 October2006, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York will discuss what action might be taken to prohibit destructive fishing practices on the high seas. The European Commission, on behalf of the European Union, will propose a coherent package of international measures which can deliver real protection for sensitive deep sea ecosystems and related vulnerable fish stocks. The actions sought include an immediate freeze on the expansion of deep sea fishing in regulated areas with bottom gears, further efforts to complete the process of identifying and protecting all sensitive ecosystems in areas currently covered by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and the immediate prohibition by flag states of destructive fishing methods by their vessels on the sites of sensitive marine habitats in unregulated areas, until they can be guaranteed a high level of protection through the creation of new RFMOs, or through appropriate interim arrangements. The EU's position is set out in a Commission working document on destructive fishing practices in the high seas which is published on 29 September 2006.