Large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing; unauthorized fishing in zones of national jurisdiction and on the high seas; fisheries by-catch and discards; and other developments

Reaffirms the importance of resolution 46/215, in particular to those provisions calling for full implementation of a global moratorium on all large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing on the high seas of the world's oceans and seas; urges all authorities of members of the international community that have not done so to take greater enforcement responsibility to ensure full compliance with the resolution; calls upon States to take measures to ensure that no fishing vessels entitled to fly their national flags fish in areas under the national jurisdiction of other States unless duly authorized by the competent authorities; calls upon States and other entities referred to in article 10, paragraph 1, of the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas that have not done so to accept the Agreement; urges States, relevant international organizations and regional and subregional fisheries management organizations and arrangements to take action to adopt policies, apply measures, collect and exchange data and develop techniques to reduce by-catches, fish discards and post-harvest losses consistent with international law and relevant international instruments; requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all members of the international community, relevant intergovernmental organizations, the organizations and bodies of the UN system, regional and subregional fisheries management organizations and relevant non-governmental organizations, and invites them to provide the Secretary-General with information relevant to the implementation of the present resolution.

Adopted without vote, 57th meeting

4 p.

Adopted at the 57th plenary meeting, 26 Nov. 1997.