Thursday, 9 June
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Discussion Panel on Marine Debris
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Thomas Cowan of the Northwest Straits Commission highlighted the aims of
the Marine Conservation Initiative's derelict fishing gear removal
project, including improving public safety and assisting in species
recovery.
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Ilse Kiessling of Australia said marine debris and derelict fishing gear
constitute hazards to vessels, human life, and marine species; and
stressed their impact on the economic viability and sustainability of
commercial fisheries.
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Laleta Davis-Mattis of Jamaica identified high levels of poverty and
tourism as factors contributing to marine debris. She underscored the
importance of public awareness raising and beach cleanups, and
recommended joint management initiatives between government and the
private sector.
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Speaking for the EU, Liesbeth Lijnzaad of the Netherlands called for
increased private sector participation to deal with marine debris, and
underlined the role of volunteers in tackling the issue.
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Speaking on behalf of the OSPAR Commission, John Roberts of the United
Kingdom maintained that involvement and cooperation of local authorities
and communities in awareness-raising is key.
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Jane Coombs of New Zealand outlined an initiative by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) on regional management of waste-reception
facilities at ports.
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Ndome Faye of Senegal asked Cowan for information on the methods used
to detect derelict fishing equipment for removal.
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Ignacio Llanos of Chile proposed a review of implementation of Annex V
of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships (MARPOL), covering pollution by garbage from ships.
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Cees van de Guchte of UNEP supported reviewing the implementations and
effectiveness of existing regulations on marine pollution and debris,
including MARPOL Annex V.
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Side event: Tapping the Oceans' Treasures: Bioprospecting of Deep Seabed
Genetic Resources
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![](/oceans/icp6/pix/thumbs/IMG_1474.JPG)
Participants considered a report on deep seabed bioprospecting prepared
by Charlotte Salpin and Salvatore Arico on behalf of the United Nations
University Institute of Advanced Studies, and heard presentations by deep
sea scientist Cindy van Dover and by Eric Mathur of Diversa Corporation,
a private company that has commercialized products based on deep seabed
genetic resources. In the ensuing discussion, views converged towards
the need to further the debate on how to regulate access to, use of, and
benefit-sharing of these resources, using the "markers" already embedded
in UNCLOS.
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Afternoon Plenary on Areas of Concern and Actions Needed
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Enele Sopoaga of Tuvalu underscored the vulnerability of Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) to tsunamis, and on behalf of the Alliance of
Small Island States (AOSIS), encouraged the Consultative Process to take
note of the Mauritius Strategy.
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Ema Indira Canales of Honduras outlined actions taken to comply with its
flag State responsibilities under international law, including fishing
licenses, inspection of fishing gear, and the use of satellite
monitoring systems.
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Sainivalati Navoti of Fiji emphasized that marine debris is a cultural
problem, and called for changing attitudes, behavior and business
practices.
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Stuart Beck of Palau passionately recommended a temporary moratorium on
high seas bottom trawling until appropriate regulations have been adopted
and implemented.
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Tapani Kohonen of Finland reported on the work of the Baltic Marine
Environment Protection Commission on reducing ship-generated waste.
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Constance Arvis of the United States said additional management measures
need to be applied to protect seamounts.
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Juana Elena Ramos of Cuba said the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
creates a universally recognized framework in which activities on high
seas should be carried out.
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Carlos Fernando Díaz of Costa Rica urged the application of the
precautionary principle, and supported proposals for a
temporary moratorium on high seas bottom trawling.
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Julio Lamarthee of Uruguay supported calls for the International Seabed
Authority to suggest specific measures for UNICPOLOS consideration.
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