3 Oct 2012

Palau highlights importance of sustainable fisheries

2:34 pm on 3 October 2012

Palau's representative ot the United Nations has stressed the importance of sustainable fisheries in his country's waters.

Stuart Beck was speaking at the UN General Assembly's 67th General Debate in New York.

Mr Beck says the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development and its follow-up presented Palau with an opportunity to better integrate healthy oceans and fisheries into its development governance framework.

In his speech, he emphasised that sustainable fisheries is Palau's lifeblood and that the country champions three principles for global fisheries.

"Global fisheries must be fair. If distant water vessels wish to come for fish that traverse Palau's waters, then they should respect our laws. Second, global fisheries should be sustainable. We should use every means at our disposal to achieve stocks levels that will ensure healthy fisheries for the long term."

Stuart Beck says global fisheries should also be accountable, adding that reports show 87 percent of global fish stocks are fully or over-exploited.