Ostracion
30-01-2005, 00:43
The Federation of Ostracion is proposing this resolution to the UN and would appreciate international support on this issue, thank you.
Restriction on Environmentally Destructive Fishing
It is recognized that the worlds Oceans consist of a majority percent of the Earths surface, and therefore a majority of the earths environment. As with any environment certain methods of harvesting resources must be restricted due to their destructive tendencies on said environment.
Within the Ocean environments it is generally recognized that the greatest resource are the fisheries, which supply the world’s seafood. This resolution recognizes that there are techniques used for the harvesting of this resource, which are harmful to the living environment of the Ocean (where living environment is described as both mobile and sessile life forms).
This resolution proposes that a moratorium be placed on the fishing methods discussed within this resolution for the reasons given.
1. Drift Netting
a. Definition: Gillnets over 1 km left to drift in open waters by trolling vessels.
b. Rationale:
i. Drift netting is used to capture specific shoaling species of fish (Tuna, Sardines, etc), but in the process captures many “waste” species (notable species include: Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Porpoises, other schooling species not specifically sought after).
ii. These nets are also sometimes destroyed in storms or ripped on rocks leaving large sections of net to sink to the benthos and ensnare the creatures that live there, wreaking havoc on ecosystems.
2. Dynamite Fishing
a. Definition: The use of any form of explosive in an aquatic system to stun and/or kill target species for harvesting.
b. Rationale:
i. The most important reason for a moratorium on this form of fishing is its high capacity for the destruction of any ecosystem it is used in. The most important examples are in their use in reef systems where they destroy large amounts of coral reef, which took hundreds of years to form. The reef forms the basis of its ecosystem and its destruction does irreparable damage to the ecosystem and to the species being harvested.
ii. Another reason for the moratorium is the indiscriminate nature of this form of fishing. Not only does it kill target species, but all other species within the vicinity.
3. Cyanide Fishing
a. Definition: The use of any form of poison to stun fish for harvest (more often seen in the aquarium industry than in sea food)
b. Rationale:
i. The use of poison to stun animals for capture in regards to the pet industry is a cruel form of treatment because, unlike tranquilizers in land based animal species and some sea species, poisons such as cyanide can have severe impacts on the animals nervous system throughout the remainder of its life.
ii. The use of poison within a system could also have a negative effect on an ecosystem, and if used in a freshwater system may contaminate drinkable water sources.
iii. Finally, as with dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing is indiscriminate and may inadvertently kill other species within the area of use.
Restriction on Environmentally Destructive Fishing
It is recognized that the worlds Oceans consist of a majority percent of the Earths surface, and therefore a majority of the earths environment. As with any environment certain methods of harvesting resources must be restricted due to their destructive tendencies on said environment.
Within the Ocean environments it is generally recognized that the greatest resource are the fisheries, which supply the world’s seafood. This resolution recognizes that there are techniques used for the harvesting of this resource, which are harmful to the living environment of the Ocean (where living environment is described as both mobile and sessile life forms).
This resolution proposes that a moratorium be placed on the fishing methods discussed within this resolution for the reasons given.
1. Drift Netting
a. Definition: Gillnets over 1 km left to drift in open waters by trolling vessels.
b. Rationale:
i. Drift netting is used to capture specific shoaling species of fish (Tuna, Sardines, etc), but in the process captures many “waste” species (notable species include: Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Porpoises, other schooling species not specifically sought after).
ii. These nets are also sometimes destroyed in storms or ripped on rocks leaving large sections of net to sink to the benthos and ensnare the creatures that live there, wreaking havoc on ecosystems.
2. Dynamite Fishing
a. Definition: The use of any form of explosive in an aquatic system to stun and/or kill target species for harvesting.
b. Rationale:
i. The most important reason for a moratorium on this form of fishing is its high capacity for the destruction of any ecosystem it is used in. The most important examples are in their use in reef systems where they destroy large amounts of coral reef, which took hundreds of years to form. The reef forms the basis of its ecosystem and its destruction does irreparable damage to the ecosystem and to the species being harvested.
ii. Another reason for the moratorium is the indiscriminate nature of this form of fishing. Not only does it kill target species, but all other species within the vicinity.
3. Cyanide Fishing
a. Definition: The use of any form of poison to stun fish for harvest (more often seen in the aquarium industry than in sea food)
b. Rationale:
i. The use of poison to stun animals for capture in regards to the pet industry is a cruel form of treatment because, unlike tranquilizers in land based animal species and some sea species, poisons such as cyanide can have severe impacts on the animals nervous system throughout the remainder of its life.
ii. The use of poison within a system could also have a negative effect on an ecosystem, and if used in a freshwater system may contaminate drinkable water sources.
iii. Finally, as with dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing is indiscriminate and may inadvertently kill other species within the area of use.