7 December 2010: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted two resolutions calling on all States to bolster their support for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and highlighting the specific challenges faced by small island developing States (SIDS), among other things.

The two resolutions are: the UNGA’s 38-page omnibus resolution on “oceans and the law of the sea” (A/RES/65/37); and the resolution on “sustainable fisheries, including through the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of UNCLOS relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks” (A/RES/65/38).

Also before the Assembly was the UN Secretary-General’s report on oceans and the law of the sea (document A/65/69), which addresses challenges in implementing capacity-building activities and identifies ways to move forward. It finds that limitations on existing capacity and challenges in the delivery of effective capacity building might constrain States, in particular developing countries and SIDS, from benefiting from oceans, seas and their resources. It notes the urgent need to develop and strengthen the capacities of those countries.

After the introduction of the resolutions, a number of countries made statements. On matters related to the law of the sea, Palau, on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), noted that much work remained on these matters, highlighting that SIDS’ stewardship on marine matters often was compromised by geographic isolation, small populations and lack of technical expertise.

On capacity building and technical support, Palau, on behalf of the PIF, indicated that Pacific Island States welcomed the numerous references to capacity building in this year’s discussion. Jamaica, on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), agreed, stressing the need for strengthened capacity-building initiatives to enhance the coordination of activities and ensure the implementation of international rules for maritime safety and security. Cuba highlighted the need to increase financial and technical assistance to developing countries.

On the fish stocks agreement, Palau, on behalf of the PIF, recalled that the Pacific Island countries had been closely involved in the negotiations leading to the adoption of the Fish Stocks Agreement. He welcomed the recent ratification of the Agreement by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and encouraged others to become parties to it. He welcomed the consensus outcome of the 2010 resumed Review Conference of the fish stocks agreement and expressed disappointment that, in a number of areas, it was not possible to carry the strong language agreed at that Conference into the sustainable fisheries resolution.

On the conservation and management of sharks, Palau, on behalf of the PIF, and Fiji, on behalf of the Pacific SIDS, expressed their disappointment at “backsliding” from important recent commitments on shark finning.

On high seas governance and destructive fishing practices, Palau, on behalf of the PIF, expressed Forum’s members’ satisfaction that the fisheries resolution welcomed the recent signatures and ratification of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean, and encouraged further signatures and ratifications with a view to its early entry into force. He said Forum members also welcomed the inclusion of several new paragraphs on large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing, to improve the implementation of the 1991 global moratorium on the use of drift nets in the high seas. Fiji, on behalf of the Pacific SIDS, supported the call in the sustainable fisheries resolution for countries to fully implement the interim measures for the pelagic and bottom fisheries to be covered by the new regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) for the South Pacific Ocean. He also expressed the group’s concern that resolutions on bottom fisheries were not being fully implemented, noting that studies had confirmed that bottom trawling had a more negative impact on the seafloor than all other major human activities combined.

On assessment and monitoring, Palau, on behalf of the PIF, stressed that adequately resourcing the monitoring and assessment of coastal waters and exclusive economic zones remained a challenge for many small islands and expressed the hope that the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of Marine Environment would assist in the matter.

On coral reefs, Jamaica, on behalf of the CARICOM, and Fiji, on behalf of the Pacific SIDS, expressed concern about the impact of climate change on corals. Underlining that Pacific coral reefs supported great bounties of fish and marine life, Fiji welcomed the Assembly’s increased recognition of the links between healthy ocean ecosystems and sustainable development. [UN Press Release]