9 December 2014: The 69th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution on sustainable fisheries that calls on States to assess and address the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on fish stocks and habitats. The UNGA deferred action on a draft text on oceans and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The resolution on sustainable fisheries (document A/69/L.30) calls upon States to, inter alia: take actions to address unsustainable fishing practices, climate change and ocean acidification through global, regional and sub-regional arrangements and organizations; become parties to UNCLOS, if they have not already done so; and ratify or accede to relevant instruments such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.

Overfishing, IUU fishing, marine pollution and habitat destruction threaten ocean environments and ecosystems, observed Fiji, on behalf of Pacific small island developing States (SIDS). Many delegates welcomed the resolution as a mechanism to address such unsustainable practices, with Mexico stressing it was not an option but a need. The US described the resolution as an effective platform for strengthening collective efforts and encouraging ratification or accession to bring the Port State Measures Agreement into force.

Fiji, Japan and Singapore highlighted the role of the International Seabed Authority in managing exploration and exploitation of mineral resources. Norway said mineral-related activities should not damage the marine environment and called for integrating a new agreement under the Convention with UNCLOS architecture.

Argentina, Cuba, India, Norway, the Russian Federation and others expressed appreciation for the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf’s work. Noting the issue of conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), Iceland welcomed the meetings of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group on ABNJ.

The Maldives called for ending fishing subsidies, which it said contributed to IUU fishing, and stressed the need to renew commitments to enforce agreements on the management of oceans stocks. Pakistan highlighted the importance of sustainable marine management for food security.

The representative of Trinidad and Tobago introduced the draft resolution on oceans and the Law of the Sea (document A/69/L.29), which addresses UNCLOS implementation and related agreements, capacity-building and peaceful dispute settlements. Reminding delegates of their ten days of “intense discussions” on the document, he hoped the Assembly would adopt the document. Many SIDS delegates stressed the importance of addressing oceans resources as critical to their way of life and future, calling for decisive action. The European Union (EU) welcomed language on data collection and catch reporting for stock assessments and implementation of an ecosystem-based approach (EbA) to fisheries management.

Several delegates welcomed the inclusion of oceans in the post-2015 development agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Jamaica, on behalf of the Caribbean community (CARICOM), Palau, on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, and the EU. Monaco said the post-2015 agenda should recognize the link between oceans and climate change. Argentina said the goal on oceans did not accurately reflect the work of the Convention.

Monaco described her delegation’s proposal on marine mammals, which aims to address ocean debris, pollution and migration patterns, among other issues, and expressed disappointment about the exclusion of compromise text on this issue. The EU also regretted its exclusion, stressing the text was deleted “following a single State’s inflexible position.” [UN Press Release]