Annex 2: Key Events in the Evolution of Fisheries and Ecosystem Management^[18]

1902

Charter of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Revised 1964, 1970.

1910

International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean (ICSEM)

1969

Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP)

1971

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially for Waterfowl (Wetlands or Ramsar Convention). Its "wise use" principle anticipates the concept of sustainable development. Led to the development of the protected areas concept.

1971

Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB), launched as a program of UNESCO. Contributed to the development of protected areas.

1972

Stockholm Conference on Human Environment. Defined the right of mankind to a healthy environment.

1972

Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention). Covers both natural and cultural areas of outstanding value.

1972

Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)

1973

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Embodies an ecosystem-based approach.

1973

FAO Technical Conference on Fisheries Management and Development: stressed overfishing, overcapitalization, environmental degradation (as a risk higher than fishing!) and the need for precautionary, anticipatory and experimental fisheries management. Proposed to frame fisheries management into ocean management (Garcia, 1992).

1979

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or Bonn Convention). Priority work on marine turtles and small cetaceans.

1979

Indian Ocean whale sanctuary

1980

Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)

1981

Convention for Co-operation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African Region

1981

Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of the South East Pacific

1982

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The comprehensive framework for marine environmental protection and resources conservation.

1982

Protocol on Specially Protected Areas

1983

Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region

1984

Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves (MAB Programme of IOC)

1984-87

World Commission on Environment and Development

1985

International Wildlife Coalition moratorium on whaling

1985

Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Marine Environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden Environment

1985

Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region

1986

Convention for the Protection and Development of Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region

1987

Publication of the Brundlandt Report (Our Common Future). A report of the World Commission on Environment and Development.

1989-91

UN General Assembly Resolutions on Large-Scale Pelagic Driftnet Fishing and its Impacts on the Living Marine Resources of the World's Oceans and Seas

1989

Exxon Valdez oil spill

1990

Regional Seas Caribbean Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Species

1990

Convention for a North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PISCES)

1991

MARPOL Guidelines for the Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs)

1992

UNCED Declaration and Agenda 21

1992

Convention on Biological Diversity

1992

Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic

1992

Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area

1992

Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution. Followed by the Black Sea Environment Programme (BSEP) in 1994.

1994

Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms. Supersedes earlier versions of 1973, 1979 and 1990.

1994

Establishment of the Antarctic whale sanctuary

1995

Global Programme of Action on Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA)

1995

Agreement Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (Fish Stocks Agreement or FSA)

1995

FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

1995

UNESCO Seville Strategy and the Statutory Framework for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves

1995

Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean. Call for protected areas. Supersedes the 1976 Convention.

1997

International Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water to Minimize the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens

1999

ITLOS decision regarding Pacific Southern Bluefin Tuna

1999

FAO International Plans of Action (IPOAs): (1) To reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in long-line fisheries; (2) For the conservation and management of sharks; (3) For the management of fishing capacity.

2001

Draft legally-binding instrument to prevent the harmful effects of the use of anti-fouling systems on ships.

2001

FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing