MANIRUZZAMAN CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh\): Firstly, kindly allow me to join my fellow delegates in thanking the FAO Secretariat for preparing the necessary documents which have helped us in a better understanding of the subject. We would also like to record our appreciation for the lucid introductory remarks made by Mr Carroz, Assistant Director-General, Fisheries Department, which will definitely allow us to arrive at the right decisions under your able and experienced chairmanship. You may appreciate the fact that Bangladesh has all along been lending its active support to various initiatives and programmes undertaken by FAO in this very important field. It would perhaps, therefore, be appropriate to state very briefly the important role that is being played by the fisheries sector in our country. Though it represents only about 6 percent of the GDP and little above 10 percent of the nation's export earnings, the fact remains that about 80 percent of the country's annual protein is contributed by the fisheries sector. The primary sources of fish in Bangladesh are open water capture fisheries in the rivers, estuaries, flood plains and natural depressions. The other sources are the virtually innumerable ponds and tanks. Rivers and canals roughly cover about 5.8 percent of the total area of the country. As a matter of fact, during the annual floods in the summer season when about 70 percent of the total area goes under water the whole country turns virtually into a vast fishing ground. In addition, Bangladesh has a coastline of about 288 miles, its territorial waters extend up to 12 miles from the coast with an extended economic zone (EEZ) of 200 miles. Based on a survey conducted by the fisheries resource survey system of the Directorate of Fisheries, fishing production of the country has been estimated in the year 1983|84 as follows: a) inland, both capture and culture fishing 578 807 metric tons, b) marine, coastal and offshore, 172 486 metric tons. The total is 751 393 metric tons.
The Bangladesh Government has not only supported the strategy for fisheries management and development as endorsed by the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development 1984, but has also been actively implementing the five programmes of action approved by the Conference aimed at increasing fish production and individual and collective self-reliance in fisheries. It has given top priority for the development of the fisheries sector during the third five-year plan, which has just started.
In order to ensure proper policy formulation and implementation of the same, a full-fledged Ministry has been created and a Cabinet Minister is looking after the same. A complete resources study and survey is being undertaken to determine the status and potential of both inland and marine fisheries with the active support of the World Bank and the FAO, and we appreciate that, Mr Chairman.
A twenty-year national plan for the development of fisheries is also under active consideration. It will not be irrelevant, perhaps, to make a passing reference also to some of the important areas in which the Government is very eager to take action early. These include improving the lot of small-scale fishermen who provide the bulk of the catch in our country; increasing the role and contribution of aquaculture to a significant level from the present 14 percent of the total production, one of the significant growth areas.; developing further potential of export trade, and above all ensuring a regular and increased supply of protein from our own sources. In this connection, it is necessary to point out that the regional fora under the auspices of FAO and other international agencies may prove to be very useful. It appears that a lot remains to be done in this regard, particularly in view of necessity in our area, on an urgent basis.
In conclusion, I would like to state that the Bangladesh delegation reaffirms and endorses its strong support for the follow-up action programme including the adoption of the Draft Resolution in implementing the strategies and Programmes of Action outlined in the World Fisheries Conference. We appreciate the activities of the Director-General in this regard.
Reynaldo TREMINIO (Nicaragua): Mi delegación ha revisado el texto del informe que se somete a debate en esta Comisión. Pensamos que todas las acciones que se orienten a ordenar y normar recursos y esfuerzos son pasos que nos acercan al propósito de la seguridad alimentaria mundial.
En mi país realizamos ingentes esfuerzos en el ordenamiento y el desarrollo pesquero. Dentro de nuestras limitadas posibilidades económicas, se impulsa la pesquería y el desarrollo de la apicultura. Igualmente merece especial atención la promoción y el consumo de pescado, tanto en el área urbana como en la rural.
Sr. Presidente, mi delegación acoge con satisfacción los resultados logrados en la Conferencia Mundial de la Pesca y felicita a la FAO por este esfuerzo importante.
Asimismo mi delegación apoya el proyecto de resolución para la Conferencia.
R.W.M. JOHNSON (New Zealand\): We welcome the report on the FAO World Conference on Fisheries in this document. The relatively recent creation of a New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone and our role in the activities of the Forum Fishery Agency in the Pacific has heightened our interest in FAO fishery matters in recent years. New Zealand was represented at the 1984 World Conference as were representatives of the island nations of the Forum Fisheries Agency, giving the South-West Pacific region a strong presence at the FAO meeting.
This year we have been pleased to note continuing Forum interest as evidenced by the attendance at COFI of Fiji and Papua New Guinea as an Observer and the representatives of the Agency itself. Traditionally Australia and New Zealand have kept an eye on the interests of other non-attending nations in the region. In the future we hope to see continuing and increasing island nation participation in FAO fishery matters, as the problems and needs of the South-West Pacific region nations depend to a very large degree on the future of their fisheries.
The value of the World Conference is demonstrated by the development of a set of eight strategies for future fisheries management and development and five programmes aimed at assisting developing countries. We would comment that the propositions are almost transcended by the focus provided for global fisheries development and the framework provided for future relationships between the international and regional fishery organizations. Accordingly, the holding of the ad hoc World Conference was well justified from the New Zealand point of view. As pointed out in the document C 85/22 it is too soon to see any tangible results of the Conference. This was appreciated at this year's COFI session. By the time of the next session of COFI there will have been three years to gauge what practical benefits will emerge.
The third elęment of the strategy emphasizes the need for fishermen to have clearly defined fishing rights and that allowable catches do not exceed.the productivity of the resources. Since the conference New Zealand has been developing a policy to set total allowable catches and to define individual fishing rights in the forum of individual transferable quotas. This policy is planned for introduction in mid-1986 to cover all the major commercial species. This is a most important development from our point of view and one totally consistent with the third element of the strategy.
In relation to strategy 5, we welcome the formation of a sub-group of COFI on fish trade which will meet when COFI next meets. We would want to see action taken in wider international fora to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade where these are significant for exporters of fish products.
We welcome the reporting back arrangement suggested for the next meeting of COFI. With regard to strategy 6, New Zealand 's investment in aid programmes to developing countries is aimed specifically
to support the guidelines set out. For example, New Zealand is providing assistance and aid in training and technological transfer'to improve Pacific states' Self-Sufficiency in marketing and harvesting and is placing emphasis in assisting artisan fisheries on their self-sufficiency once aid programmes cease.
With regard to strategies 7 and 8 regarding economic and technical cooperation and international cooperation, we see increasing cooperation in fisheries management between New Zealand and the Pacific states where there are major commercial species. At present a cooperative programme for the various tuna is being developed. On a wider front we see increasing cooperation in the area of surveillance and advice on management of the Pacific states' Exclusive Economic Zones. We support the proposed Draft Resolution.
Knut BØRVE (Norway\): On behalf of the Norwegian delegation I would like to thank the Secretariat for the clear introduction of the report of the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. Fisheries development is important because it forms an integral part of economic and social development, particularly in the developing countries. A carefully planned and balanced fisheries policy could also contribute to an increase in the world supply of fish and thereby to an increase in self-sufficiency of food for many nations of the world.
Against this background Norway thinks that the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development was a very important contribution to the management and development of fisheries in the international context. The Norwegian delegation took an active part in the proceedings of the Conference, and we support the strategy and the five Programmes of Action adopted by it. Norway will take the consequences of this engagement in its future multilateral and bilateral cooperation with the developing world.
Finally, my delegation would like to commend the FAO Fisheries Department for the follow-up activities already taken, and we are looking forward to a broader progress report on the implementation of the strategy and Programmes of Action at the next FAO Conference.
Almir Franco de SA BARBUDA (Brazil\): The Brazilian delegation thanks the Secretariat for the concise document C 85/22 and Mr Carroz for the useful introduction of the item of the agenda.
My Government pays great attention to the fisheries sector in its developing economic plans as well as to international activities in this field. We have traditionally endorsed FAO's initiatives in the fisheries sector, and we fully support the new effort concerning the implemen‐tation of this strategy and the Programmes of Action of the World Conference on Fisheries.
The relatively short period of time elapsed since the Conference on Fisheries does not allow a substantive evaluation of the results. However, the Sixteenth Session of the Commission on Fisheries held last April offered the right opportunity to evaluate the steps related to the dis‐closing of the results of the Conference on Fisheries, and especially to set the basis for the follow-up of the strategy and implementation of the Programmes of Action, as well as to define the responsibilities of FAO and Member Nations. While reaffirming FAO's Member Nations' primary responsibility for the implementation of the strategy, the last COFI session recommended that FAO collect and coordinate the collection of information on a standard format from information provided by Member countries. They also requested the preparation of special in-depth studies regarding the strategy and contribution from donors. At this point we want to express our appreciation in regard to the financial support already provided by the donors for the implementation of the Programmes of Action.
On the other hand, we feel again the need for universal balancing in this implementation and mention again the lesser attention that has been given, not only in fisheries but also in other areas of FAO's competence, to Latin America and the Caribbean region. We do hope that the international community will listen to our appeal and that the trend can be reversed. As an exception to this trend, it should be mentioned that Italy supported the Latin American Regional Agriculture Development Project. We wish as well to express, our satisfaction for the creation of the Committee on Fisheries Tráde and reiterate our support to TCDC in the area of fisheries.
In this respect, we want to confirm our interest in the relationship and exchange of information and experiences between Brazilian institutions and other developing countries' institutions on fisheries.
Finally, we present our full support to the resolution proposed by the Secretariat as recommended by the Council.
O.V. MSISKA (Malawi): My delegation wishes first to congratulate the Chairman for efficiently carrying out his duties, as we appear to be covering ground faster than planned through his guidance. I also wish to thank the Assistant Director-General, Mr Carroz, for his clear and informative introduction of this item.
While fisheries contribute only about one quarter of the world supply of animal protein, Malawi derives more than 70 percent of the animal protein from this source. For rural people this is the cheapest source of animal protein. Therefore, my delegation very much appreciates FAO's action in giving this-sector strong emphasis. Malnutrition is among the major causes of high child mortality, and therefore it would be useful if nutritional data were made available to planners so that they give it due consideration. In most cases such information appears to be missing, and therefore we would hope that in the FAO format this would be taken into consideration.
Since Malawi obtained independence in 1964, fish production has increased from 13 100 tonnes to 65 300 metric tonnes in 1984. This is due to the policy of development which the government has followed and the financial assistance it has received from donors like UNDP. Over the recent past, however, catches have almost stagnated and are not keeping up with the population increase. Some of the most prized fishes have almost disappeared. For a land-locked country like Malawi , this is very serious. Fish species which have been affected are those which are known to show homing behaviour like salmon of the temperate regions. Since salmon has been domesticated in these regions, it would appear that a similar approach could be attempted for these fish in Malawi . Therefore, the stress on aquaculture by FAO is very welcome in Malawi . Malawi thinks that aquaculture should be approached in the widest sense in order to bring about increased fish supply in the inland waters. There may be need to collect further baseline data on trophic ecology of the great lakes of Africa in order to see if extensive methods like pen or cage culture could be the answer. Although originally classified as oligotrophic, the great lakes produce up to 125 kilograms per hectar of fish, and therefore they need further consideration.
Malawi has also considered methods of reducing post-harvest losses through use of pesticides, and actellic appears to be one of the promising ones. However, more work is required for it to be internationally accepted. In this way it is hoped that more than 18 percent more fish can reach the consumer in a state which is still safe for consumption.
Malawi participated in seminars which were organized by FAO and in their follow-up programmes in Zambia and thought that they wére very worthwhile.
Long-term training needs, however, seem to indicate that for Malawi and the other eight members of the SADCC region there is need to train technicians or intermediate staff for the region. The present training in Nigeria, at ARAC, is okay for senior agriculturists, but there is still this missing link, Which could be better rectified at regional or sub-regional level, and it is the feeling of these nations that this cannot be done on a national level as stipulated in the FAO World Fisheries Conference, because some of these countries are too small, and therefore the regional approach is being recommended.
My delegation very much welcomes the efforts made by the Director-General to make a modest increase in the FAO fisheries budget. It realizes that the task ahead is big and maybe in future more financial support will be required.
The decentralization plan that has been mentioned in one of the documents, C 85/8, is very much welcomed. Hopefully, in the future eastern and southern Africa could be allocated a field officer, considering the logistics of operating either from Accra or from Rome .
This delegation is pleased to note the inclusion of fish in food security arrangements.
The Malawi delegation welcomes efforts being made by FAO to review the track record of aquaculture in African countries so that some common constraints which limit progress can be documented, as has been done for the forestry programmes, documented in C 85/4. This should put aquaculture on a sound footing.
The great lakes of Africa have a diverse fish fauna which is worth conserving. Such fauna may also be a source of good genetic material for aquaculture. With present transfers and introductions taking place in the world, some code of practice could be drawn up by FAO for use by countries who cannot draw up their own.
Malawi welcomes the emphasis on small scale fisheries development by the FAO World Fisheries Conference. These are important as they provide at least 85 percent of the catch in Malawi . Their needs require special attention with regard to support services and improved technology.
In conclusion, my delegation supports the draft resolution on fisheries and the Plan of Action adopted at the World Fisheries Conference, which Malawi attended.
R.C. GUPTA (India\): First of all, I should like personally to express my happiness and satis-faction, Mr Chairman, at seeing you presiding over our deliberations on a very important subject.
We have gone through this useful document, C 85/22, with great interest and we have found the introduction given by Mr Carroz, as usual, extremely clear and informative.
We are aware that fisheries production had been stagnating for almost a decade and, considering the potential available and the projected requirements, we feel that the holding of the World Conference on Fisheries last year was an extremely important and timely event. The eight-point Strategy which was evolved by the Conference, along with the 5 Programmes of Action, are steps which, if sincerely and seriously followed-up, could contribute very considerably to a more scientific exploitation of the fisheries resources to avoid waste in post-harvest processing and to increase the nutritional standards of people in developing countries.
As some of my distinguished colleagies have said, it is only about one and a quarter or one and a half years since this Conference was held, and it is too early to make an informed or valid assessment of the results of the achievements made. Nevertheless, the action which has already been taken by the Secretariat in terms of bringing the Strategy to the notice of all concerned at the highest level in our governments, and also in trying to find adequate financial support for the five Programmes of Action, is highly commendable.
We are told in this document that the indicative target of US$15 million per annum of funds required for carrying out these Programmes is likely to be exceeded in the year 1985. This is an extremely heartening and most welcome development. While Commending the FAO Secretariat, Mr Carroz and his colleagues for their efforts, we should also like to place on record our appreciation of finances provided by UNDP and donor countries like Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America . We find, however, that all the five Programmes of Action have not received equal support, which is understandable in view of the preoccupations and preferences of donors regarding certain aspects of fisheries development. We would strongly urge that all these Programmes, since they combine to form a balanced whole, be equally supported, otherwise some areas would be neglected and some countries would not get adequate support in the development of the fisheries resources along the lines recommended and suggested by the Conference.
We consider that another important event was the setting up of a Sub-Committee of the Committee on Fisheries, because in the matter of trade in fish, as in the case of most commodities, there is great need for the development of the market, for more orderly trade, and for lowering of tariff and non-tariff barriers,and we feel that this Sub-Committee could provide a very useful forum for exchange of information for understanding the points of view of one another and for bringing about a more orderly, more equitable system in the world trade in fisheries.
If I may I should like to say a word about our own development of fisheries in India . If we take the overall picture, our catch has gone up by about 12 percent in the year 1984. Indian fisheries is a mixed picture, with both marine fishing and inland fishing. In the sector of inland fishing,
we are one of the largest in terms of the catch. Our FEZ has a potential, on a rough estimate, of almost 4.5 million tons of catch every year, whereas our achievement to date is only about 1.8 million tons - that is, about 33 percent of our potential. This is an area in which we look forward to, and seek, assistance from developed countries and from international financial institutions to build the expertise, to have the necessary equipment and gear, to have transfer of technology, to develop and build this important potential that we have.
In the area of inland fisheries, our annual catch is about one million tons, but considering the river systems in India , the areas of the water bodies that we have inland, there is a potential for the development of inland fisheries and aquaculture. We are trying, through a number of institutions and training programmes, to assist the farmers to transfer technology to them for inland fisheries and aquaculture, and in this area again a lot of work can be done, with external assistance.
To conclude, we would like to lend our support to the resolution proposed and would also like to state very clearly that whatever facilities we have developed we would be most willing and happy to share. We are going to set up a separate university for fisheries. I reiterate that we are happy to share our experience and whatever expertise we have been able to develop with other friendly countries amongst developing countries.
Philippe PIOTET (France\): La situation mondiale des pêches depuis le début des années soixante-dix une mutation de la plus grande importance. Comme le souligne bien l'excellent rapport soumis à la Conférence,les résultats records obtenus en 1984 pour la production halieutique, je pense en particulier au chiffre de 80 millions de tonnes, ne doivent pas faire oublier que depuis une dizaine d'années la tendance générale est à la stabilisation des captures mondiales de poisson. Pendant la même période la demande de poisson a connu une forte croissance tandis qu'avec l'adoption en 1982 de la Convention des Nations Unies sur le Droit de la mer, des perspectives nouvelles d'une ampleur considérable se sont ouvertes aux Etats côtiers pour l'exploitation des ressources halieutiques de leur zone économique exclusive.
Face à ces mutations d'une portée véritablement historique, la Conférence mondiale sur l'aménagement et le développement des pêches de 1984 a, sans nul doute, constitué un événement de première importance en fournissant au niveau mondial un cadre complet et cohérent pour une action à long terme.
La délégation française tient ici à renouveler à l'OAA ses félicitations pour cette initiative particulièrement opportune dans cette période de mutation. Ma délégation donne son accord à la stratégie et aux cinq programmes d'action retenus àl'issue de la Conférence mondiale. Cette stratégie et ses programmes d'action fournissent aux Etats membres de notre Organisation les bases d'une coopération et une réponse à un certain nombre de besoins essentiels.
Je citerai quelques-uns de ces besoins, je pense en particulier aux besoins de nouveaux concepts et méthodes de régulation de la pêche adaptés aux caractéristiques spécifiques de l'exploitation des écosystèmes naturels; aux besoins de mieux apprécier les perspectives de l'aquaculture et ceci par grandes régions géographiques, par mode de production et par types de produits; je pense enfin aux besoins d'améliorer l'utilisation de la matière première compte tenu de la pénurie actuelle, ce qui implique tout' à la fois une meilleure valorisation et une réduction des pertes après capture. La satisfaction de ces besoins est indispensable si l'on veut dans l'avenir améliorer la rentabilité et les performances des entreprises de pêche; améliorer aussi la situation des communautés de pêcheurs et renforcer enfin la contribution de la pêche aux économies nationales et à la sécurité alimentaire.
La stratégie mondiale des pêches et les cinq programmes d'action apportent,de l'avis de ma délégation, une réponse tout à fait satisfaisante à ces préoccupations. Dans leur mise en oeuvre, il conviendra cependant, si l'on veut véritablement progresser vers les objectifs fixés, d'être très attentifs au respect d'un bon équilibre entre les grands programmes d'action prévus.
Comme l'a fort justement reconnu la Conférence mondiale des pêches, une gestion rationnelle des ressources halieutiques implique nécessairement qu'une toute première priorité soit accordée aux actions d'aménagement. A cet égard, la France appuie fermement le paragraphe 29 du rapport C 85/22
soumis à notre Conférence lorsqu'il indique: "... tout progrès nouveau et soutenu dans le secteur de la pêche dépendra, dans de nombreux cas, d'un meilleur aménagement des ressources." Je pense que nous sommes dans ce domaine engagés dans la bonne voie. La France attache aussi une très grande importance à la coopération dans le domaine de la pêche sous toutes ses formes: recherche, formation, coopération technique, coopération économique. Dans la mise en oeuvre de sa coopération bilatérale également mon pays approuve et applique les principes énoncés de mise en relief et adoptés par la Conférence mondiale sur l'aménagement et le développement des pêches. Enfin la France appuie le projet de résolution soumis à cette vingt-troisième session de la Conférence.
MA GENG'OU (China\) (original language Chinese): My intervention will be very brief.
The Secretariat has prepared an excellent report on the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. It not only gives a brief account of the chief results of that Conference, but also clearly elucidates the relevant follow-up actions taken after the Conference. I think it will help us to gain a full understanding of the developments and facilitate our examination of the draft resolution.
It is known to all that about 20 percent of the animal protein contained in the human diet originates from fish, while more than 80 percent of fish products comes from the sea. The law of the Sea adopted by the United Nations has brought about major changes in the ocean regime, which will consequently give a great impetus to the reform of world fisheries. It was just at this important historical juncture that the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development was convened. The Chinese government sent a delegation led by a Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery to attend the Conference. From our experience, the delegation expounded the basic views of our country on the major relationships governing fishery development, stressing the importance of developing aquaculture. The delegation also expressed our readiness to enhance cooperation in fishery development with other countries, especially with developing countries in the spirit of equality and mutual benefit, as well as our desire to strengthen cooperation with FAO in the relevant follow-up actions.
We endorse the report on the recommendations of the follow-up actions of the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development.
Julio César JARA D. (Chile\): Mi delegación felicita a usted, Sr. Presidente, por haber sido elegido para presidir esta importante Comisión. Asimismo mis felicitaciones a los vicepresidentes y al Sr. Carroz por la excelente presentación del documento que tenemos a la vista.
Sr. Presidente, respecto a los temas tratados durante dicha Conferencia Mundial la delegación de Chile formuló las siguientes observaciones que reiteramos en esta oportunidad:
Nuestro interés en el desarrollo de la acuicultura y la repoblación de especies naturales, ofreciendo toda colaboración al intercambio de experiencias y el envío de técnicos para el desarrollo de estas actividades.
La posición de Chile sobre el fomento del libre comercio, y se insiste en el desarrollo por parte de FAO de efectuar estudios tendientes a mejorar los niveles de información comercial internacional, así como la búsqueda de la eliminación de barreras arancelarias y paraarancelarias.
Chile sustentando su posición de país productor de harina de pescado, manifiesta su capacidad potencial en generar Productos al consumo directo, siempre y cuando el consumo y fomento de los mismos en otros países, como el mejoramiento de los mercados, así lo permita.
En consecuencia, recalco: el derecho soberano de explotación de las zonas exclusivas; el fomento al libre comercio; la utilización y aprovechamiento de los recursos explotados en forma integral y su voluntad de país en el mejoramiento del desarrollo pesquero para promover actividades de acuiculturay y colaborar en el programa contra la subnutrición mundial; además apoya el proyecto de resolución.
Sra. Dra.GRAFILA SOTO CARRERO (Cuba): Como usted conoce, Sr. presidente, aspectos de la pesca son muy importantes para mi país. Permítame, a nombre de la delegación de Cuba agradecer al Sr. Carroz por la excelente presentación de este tema puesto que nos ha ofrecido informaciones muy útiles, especialmente en lo referente al incremento de las capturas en 1984, así como al comienzo de las actividades para cumplimentar los acuerdos de la Conferencia Mundial de la FAO sobre Ordenación y Desarrollo Pesqueros.
La delegación de Cuba considera que esta Conferencia constituyó un evento de gran interés para la comunidad internacional en su conjunto, y de importancia particular para los países en desarrollo que han adquirido derechos soberanos sobre nuevos recursos pesqueros naturales por constituir el primer esfuerzo a escala global en la concertación de ideas, experiencias y recursos que permitan la utilización más racional y económicamente ventajosas de los recursos pesqueros, a partir del nuevo orden jurídico de los mares. Los conceptos discutidos y aprobados por la Conferencia pueden contribuir a elevar el papel de la pesca en la economía, sobre todo de los países Subdesarrollados. Una Conferencia de este tipo no puede detenerse en el análisis de la situación de un solo país; sin embargo, el problema de estrategias para el desarrollo puede ser tomado como una referencia orientadora para cualquier país en el momento de definir los objetivos del sector pesquero, así como para planificar la ordenación y el desarrollo de la pesca.
Mi delegación, Sr. presidente, considera que los Programas de Acción aprobados han identificado los aspectos y las regiones más necesitadas de atención financiera y asistencia técnica para el desarrollo ulterior del sector pesquero.
A nuestro entender esta Conferencia puso de relieve los derechos y los deberes de los Estados en cuanto a la explotación, la conservación y la concesión de los excedentes de pesca en las zonas económicas exclusivas. A este respecto debemos destacar que la inmensa mayoría de los países aceptan sin mayor discusión el derecho soberano de los Estados costeros a explotar y conservar los recursos pesqueros de sus zonas económicas exclusivas, así como el derecho de estudiar dichos recursos, determinar la porción que puede ser explotada por sí misma y conceder el acceso a otros Estados para la explotación de los excedentes, tal como lo recoge la Convención de Naciones Unidas sobre el Derecho del Mar.
El hecho de que unos pocos países no comparten este criterio resalta la necesidad de continuar haciendo esfuerzos por desarrollar formas más eficaces de colaboración internacional, tanto por las vías bilaterales como por las multilaterales. En este empeño consideramos que la FAO tiene un importante papel que jugar como agente catalizador del desarrollo pesquero y estimulador de formas apropiadas en la cooperación internacional. El resultado visible de la Conferencia se expresa a través del informe correspondiente y de las resoluciones aprobadas, las cuales si bien es cierto que tienen un carácter general, puntualizan los aspectos más relevantes del dilema pesquero internacional e insta a la FAO, a las organizaciones internacionales y a los Estados a tomar medidas para elevar el papel del sector pesquero en el desarrollo económico y social de los países, mejorar la alimentación y estimular el comercio y la cooperación internacional.
Para concluir, Sr. Presidente, la delegación de Cuba apoya la resolución sobre las actividades complementarias de la Conferencia Mundial sobre Ordenación y Desarrollo Pesquero y, asimismo, agradece y apoya la propuesta de la Secretaría para que el próximo Día Mundial de la Alimentación sea dedi‐cado a los hombres y mujeres que realizan sus esfuerzos en las actividades pesqueras.
KYO EUN KIM (Republic of Korea\): I would like to start my statement by expressing my thanks to Dr Carroz for his excellent introduction of agenda item 9.
My delegation welcomes the results of the World Fisheries Conference and its follow-up actions, and supports their adoption as a conference resolution.
In my delegation's view, fisheries resources are of the same importance as other food resources such as cereals and meat, In this regard, firstly my delegation wishes that a stronger follow-up action be made with due emphasis on it. In particular we feel that the efforts of FAO should be strenthened - and expanded in fields such as inland fisheries, development and aquaculture for the benefit of rural people. We believe that the expanded role of FAO in those fields would certainly provide us with a good deal of contributions to increase the supply of food and to increase small farmers' incomes and their employment opportunities.
Secondly, my delegation also feels that the technology transferred in this field is quite urgent, as has been indicated. The Government of the Republic of Korea has endeavoured to share our experiences and techniques in inland fisheries and aquaculture through the exchange of training with fellow developing countries, and we hope that such an opportunity could be expanded through FAO programme development.
Finally, as the delegate of Thailand requested yesterday afternoon, my delegation also strongly wishes that FAO should play a leading role in promoting the international, regional and bilateral cooperation for the efficient utilization of fisheries resources, since in some cases the exclusive economic zones have failed to be managed and developed efficiently and economically.
Jan ORZESZKO (Poland\): It is very appropriate that our main task is that of reviewing the follow-up actions required at the 1984 FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. The impetus provided by that important and historic Conference must not be lost. We must capitalize on the remarkable consensus that the Conference achieved at the Conference and clearly recognizing the varied situations and special policies of individual nations. We must continue to seek to work together to secure a new and improved basis for the better management and use of the world's fishery resources. My delegation is grateful to Mr Carroz and his colleagues for the document before us, and we extend our congratulations for a paper which is not only informative and constructive, but also brief as well as comprehensive.
I should like to say that it does not surprise us because the whole work of the Fisheries Department has always been - and especially recently - very constructive and of great benefit to all of us. Here, on behalf of the Polish Government, I would express our highest appreciation.
We are pleased to note the concrete steps taken by the Director-General, both with regard to the prompt actions already taken to implement the Conference's recommendations, and with regard to the elaboration of proposals for a system of reporting on future progress. My delegation fully supports the suggestions made regarding the format, content and periodicity of the progress reports to be prepared by governments, as well as the supplementary special in-depth studies to be carried out by the Secretariat on particular elements of the Strategy and the contributions from donor agencies and financial institutions.
With regard to that part of the Strategy which deals with international trade in fish and fishery products, my delegation welcomes the Committee on Fisheries' decision to establish a Sub-Committee on fish trade, as well as the preparations being made for the first session of that new FAO body.
I should also like to refer to the pleasure with which the Polish Government collaborated with the Fisheries Department in one very important aspect of the Strategy and its associated Action Programmes; that is to say, in training. In this respect, very close collaboration with FAO resulted in the organization of the training course on Fisheries Management and Development Planning for the CECAF ree ion in Szcecin, Poland , in September 1985. The training course was attended by 23 participants from 1'9 countries. It was considered by the participants as most relevant and useful for better development planning and management of their fisheries.
My delegation fully supports the Director-General's proposal relating to the Budget and Work Programme of the fisheries activities for the 1986/87 biennium. We also support the draft resolution.
David R. GREGORY (Australia): May I begin by stressing the important contribution of fisheries to the economic development of all the Member countries of the South West Pacific region, all of which, including Australia , are island states. As the Conference well knows, there are now nine Members of FAO from the South West Pacific region. All of these, and a number of other Members of the region, participate as Members or observers of the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency which provides a focus for regional approaches to fisheries' matters.
As the Delegate of New Zealand has noted the recent World Fisheries Conference provided the opportunity for Members of Forum Fisheries Agency to participate in the preparation of fisheries management and development strategies, both during the Conference itself and in its preparatory meetings. It needs to be emphasized that the development problems of small island states are unique. Consequently international organizations as well as bilateral agencies need to recognize their special problems and requirements in any cooperation that is undertaken, either with individual states or with their regional organizations, such as the Forum Fisheries Agency.
I should also like to recognize the important contribution the World Fisheries Conference and its deliberations have played in the development of Australia 's National Fisheries Strategy. We have continued to keep the FAO Secretariat fully informed of developments in that regard, and in the detailed management of Australian fisheries resources. As an aside, since I have very little time myself remaining in Rome, may I also on this occasion pay tribute to Mr Carroz and the members of his staff for their very professional and competent approach to their jobs, and for the assistance and cooperation they have provided to me personally over the last three years, and to Australia generally. I believe FAO's fisheries work deserves recognition as an example of the important contribution FAO can make for all its Member Nations. It is an area in which I believe FAO has demonstrated that it has a unique and beneficial role to play.
I should also like to stress the. importance we in Australia attach to regional action through such regional FAO bodies as IPFC and IOFC in translating and transmitting the benefits of the World Conference to concrete and practical action at the field level - or perhaps I should say, at sea level. Australia actively participates in these regional initiatives in the Asia and Pacific region. As the Secretariat well knows we place a high priority on the work of such bodies.
I should also like to give the highest possible commendation to the Director-General for his comments in his speech to the Conference where he said, in relation to fisheries, management and development, and I quote him exactly, "the spotlight is now on improved management".
We agree that management is essential in the rational utilization of fishery resources and we welcome the emphasis that FAO intends to place on fisheries management in its Programme of Work and Budget and through the use of extra budgetary resources under the World Fisheries Conference Programme of Action No. 1.
In respect of particular items in the Programme of Work and Budget, we see particular value in Programme 2.2.1 on fisheries information since we believe the availability of fisheries data and statistics is essential for management purposes. We also welcome the activities undertaken under the Sub-Programme on Fisheries Policy and Planning. With respect to the Sub-Programme on International Coordination and Liaison, we would like to stress the need for FAO to conduct its programmes in collaboration with regional fisheries bodies. Can I emphasize that within the Pacific Region we see particular value in continued cooperation and assistance for the Forum Fisheries agency.
Marc-André FREDETTE (Canada\): My remarks shall be brief, to be consistent with the manner in which you have chaired our deliberations, and which I take this occasion to commend.
First and foremost, my delegation joins others in endorsing both the Strategy for Fisheries Management and the Development and the draft resolution on follow-up to the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development.
Secondly, I wish to make two observations on Document C 85/22: in paragraph 15, the steps already taken include only those actions taken by FAO and the EEC. This is only a partial list. For instance, Canada hosted an expert consultation on the issue of fishing vessel identification'in March 1985.
In paragraph 29, we are particularly pleased by the strong statement in support of the importance of fisheries management and we encourage the FAO to continue giving prominence to this important aspect. We are also very pleased and wish to underline that the Council, at its Eighty-seventh Session, stressed the importance of the role of women in fisheries and recommended that FAO take special steps to further promote their participation in this sector. It is precisely in this spirit that my delegation supports the Resolution on Women introduced yesterday in Commission II by Venezuela, and which Canada intends to co-sponsor.
Finally, my delegation joins others in endorsing both the strategy for fisheries management and development and the draft resolution on follow-up to the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development.
Mbome MOUKIA (Cameroun): Permettez-moi d'abord d'adresser les félicitations de la délégation camerounaise à M. le Directeur général de la FAO pour l'initiative qu'il a prise en convoquant une conférence mondiale sur l'aménagement et le développement des pêches.
Nos félicitations vont également à M. Carroz pour la qualité du document que nous examinons en ce moment même.
Nous ne reviendrons pas sur le rôle que joue la pêche dans la vie économique de nos pays comme source d'emplois ni sur la place qui revient aux produits de la pêche dans notre alimentation. Tout en sollicitant une intervention accrue de la FAO pour la mise en place de nos flottilles de pêche industrielle dans le souci d'une exploitation rationnelle de nos zones économiques exclusives, nous insistons pour une intensification de la modernisation du secteur de la pêche et de l'aquaculture, secteur moins exigeant en investissements et intéressant particulièrement les artisans pêcheurs.
Nous saluons encore une fois l'initiative prise par le Directeur général de la FAO pour mobiliser les moyens auprès des pays technologiquement avancés pour les pays en développement. Nous réitérons ici notre souhait de voir la FAO porter aussi son assistance sur la formation du personnel d'encadrement, notamment en matière de gestion des ressources et pour faire face aux problèmes que ne manquera pas de nous poser l'aquaculture.
Pour terminer, nous tenons à exprimer notre plein appui au projet de résolution préparé par le Secrétariat de la FAO.
Carlo PINHEIRO SILVA(Cap-Vert La délégation du Cap-Vert tient à remercier le Secrétariat pour la présentation concise et claire de ce thème très cher à mon pays et sur le développement des pêches. Effectivement l'insularité du Cap-Vert; associée à un encadrement stratégique, est à l'origine de conditions particulièrement favorables à l'aménagement de ressources maritimes dont les potentialités sont loin d'être exploitées.
Mon pays remercie vivement le Département des pêches de la FAO pour l’assistance octroyée dans le cadre du plan national de développement. L'initiative de la FAO dans l'organisation de la Conférence mondiale sur l'aménagement et le développement des pêches a été très pertinente; elle a été accueillie avec beaucoup de satisfaction par mon gouvernement. Le Cap-Vert appuie incondition-nellement la stratégie du développement des pêches préconisée par la Conférence et soutient pleinement les cinq programmes d'action adoptés; il soutient également fermement la résolution qui nous est soumise, suite à la Conférence mondiale sur l'aménagement et le développement des pêches.
Michaël HJORTSØ (Denmark): Denmark participated actively, and with great interest in the World Fisheries Conference in Rome in 1984. My Government supported the important decisions taken by that Conference and considers them to be important tools for the development of fisheries world-wide, and especially in the developing countries.
Against that background we appreciate the report before us and the encouraging oral introduction on the state of world fisheries, made by the Assistant Director-General for Fisheries, Mr Carroz. We were especially encouraged by the information on the record catches in 1984, and on the financial backing for the programme.
The Assistant Director-General was kind enough to refer to my country as one of the countries which has supplied part of the needed extrabudgetary funds for the implementation of the programme of action. Denmark has quite a comprehensive Trust Fund programme with the FAO concentrating on a few selected programme areas. One of these is support to the development of the fisheries sector. The programme of action adopted by the World Fisheries Conference covers five areas. Planning management and development of fisheries, small-scale fisheries development, aquaculture development, interna‐tional trade in fish and fish products, and the role of fisheries in alleviating under-nutrition.
We have been happy to note that the FAO/Denmark Trust Fund Programme for Fisheries fits very well into the programme of action. My Government intends to continue its support to the fisheries sector through our Trust Fund programme with FAO.
Denmark is itself a country where the fisheries sector plays an important role. For this reason my country is intimately aware of the important role which fisheries plays in the economic development and in nutrition. We have been very happy to share our knowledge and experience in this area with developing countries.
Let me conclude by informing you that Denmark can support the draft resolution before us.
CHRISTOPHER DHATEMWA (Uganda\): I would like to thank Dr Carroz for his presentation of documents C 85/22 and C 85/LIM/24.
Uganda participated fully in the World Fisheries Conference held in Rome last year. We therefore associate ourselves with the resolutions suggested. In Uganda fisheries play a major role in providing the much needed animal proteins and we are determined to preserve and manage our fish stocks rationally for the good of our citizens. It is for this reason that we are duty bound to support any national or international measures intended to further our good. The strategies and programme of action worked out at the World Fisheries Conference conform to our priorities.
Mr Chairman, we note with appreciation all the steps, so far, taken by the Director-General to implement the resolutions of the World Fisheries Conference. We are inclined to single out the recommendation to declare 1986 World Food Day a day for the fishermen and the fishing communities. This we fully endorse but we hesitate to add that the small fishermen using canoes, who are a majority in our fisheries, may not be able to get the message. Their requirements at the moment are more fishing inputs. We appreciate the help provided to us in this respect by the EEC and IFAD, and other donors, but maybe FAO could utilize the World Food Day of 1986 to provide the small fisherman with some kind of input, even if it is one net per canoe at a nominal price.
We appreciate the assistance FAO gives to fisheries, especially in the field of training. We recently benefitted from FAO/DANIDA National Workshop on Fish Technology and Quality Control. This was indeed valuable in training not only our middle-cadre staff, but ultimately the fishing communities in better handling and processing methods. We would appreciate other training programmes, especially in the collection of fisheries statistics.
At the La Toja Ministerial Conference training was emphasized and countries offered training facilities to developing countries. Although we did not attend that Conference we are hoping that this invitation is for all developing countries, including ours. On the other hand, we have modest training facilities in inland fisheries at Entebbe . These facilities have been shared with our neighbours and I would like to inform the distinguished delegates that we welcome applicants from all corners of the world.
In conclusion I would like to reiterate that the Uganda delegation endorses the resolutions in document C 85/LIM/24.
Rainer PRESTIEN (Federal Republic of Germany) (original language German): My delegation welcomes the presentation of document C 85/22. The statements contained therein are broadly shared by us. The document shows the progress that has been made in the field of fisheries management and development since the end of the FAO World Fisheries Conference which was held in July 1984.
Furthermore, the document shows the way for continuing international efforts in this field. My delegation concurs with determinations achieved by the Conference. We were in favour of setting up a sub-committee on fish trade because we consider it important to have a body to deal with trade questions in the field of fisheries, and it is only natural that this topic be tied in with COFI. I think this is the simplest and most cost-effective approach as well.
We also welcome the ideas expressed in paragraph 25 of this Document C 85/22, namely to obtain additional information about the assistance to fisheries through bilateral and multilateral agencies by means of a questionnaire to be sent by FAO. Such a new questionnaire would enable the Organization and the Member Countries to have a broader overview of the activities underway in the field of fisheries, which would, in turn, improve aid coordination.
We also welcome the positive development in the fisheries field in 1984, as is indicated in paragraph 29 of the document we have before us. Within the framework of bilateral cooperation pursued by the Federal Republic with the developing countries, fisheries and aquaculture enjoy a high priority. They should contribute to food security and improvement. This is done by improving standards of living, increasing self-reliance, and stepping up income levels in marginal rural regions as well as by increasing productivity, by making use of existing resources and creating jobs. This kind of cooperation is fully consistent with the development strategies which have been set by FAO in this field.
The priority areas of our bilateral developments cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture are coastal and deep-sea fisheries as well as fishery technology and aquaculture.
We are presently engaged in 58 projects of development cooperation amounting to a value of DM375.2 million. We also welcome the Director-General's suggestion that fishermen and the fishing commu‐nities be one of the major topics of World Food Day in 1986. The Resolution found in the Annex to document C 85/22 is supported by our delegation in the form suggested.
C. GOODING (Barbados\): The introductory remarks given by Dr Carroz to facilitate discussion of this agenda item have been most informative and enlightening. The Barbados delegation, therefore, wishes to congratulate him for a task well done.
As you are aware, it was only sixteen months ago that the FAO convened the first World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development here in Rome . This Conference, among other things, made two decisions which are of major importance for fisheries management and development, particularly in Caribbean and other developing countries. The first decision related to its endorsement of a strategy for fisheries management and development, and the second to its endorsement of five Programmes of Action to assist developing countries to increase fish production.
Our delegation observes that there have been a number of initiatives undertaken since the Conference to promote fisheries development, both at the regional and international levels. In particular, we are pleased at the priority being given to the implementation of the decisions of the Conference which were referred to earlier.
It is noted that some US$15 million will be needed annually from extra-budgetary forces over a five year period to implement the Programme of Action. We are therefore deeply impressed by the enthusiasm exhibited thus far by the international community in its response to this need. Our hope is that this initial enthusiasm will be sustained.
Like many other developing countries, Barbados attaches considerable importance to the further development of its fisheries sub-sector, and there are good reasons why. Our fisheries sub-sector is an important contributor to the national output. It provides employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, for many Barbadian men and women, and it provides consumers with a regular source of low cost protein, a factor which contributes greatly to the health and well-being of the low-income groups within our society.
Our fisheries development strategy is directed towards the attainment of the highest measure of self-sufficiency in fish and fish products. For this reason a number of initiatives are being taken. By way of example, I can mention that the advisory service for fishermen is being strengthened, facilities at landing sites are being upgraded and the marketing and distribution system is being overhauled. Every effort is being made to provide the kind of environment which will give encouragement to fishermen to increase their output and to present consumers with a higher quality product.
I have given this information concerning the fisheries sub-sector of my country in order to facilitate a proper appreciation of its importance in the context of the national economy. The process already initiated of modernizing the fishing fleet and facilities needs to be continued. Investment in the sector will therefore have to be increased in the years ahead.
The Barbados delegation accordingly wishes to restate its support for the strategy for fisheries management and development as well as the five Programmes of Action. We would also like to express our support for the measures planned or already taken by the Director-General to implement the strategy.
We support the view of the Committee on Fisheries that any progress reports required in relation to the implementation of the strategy should not be a burden on national administration. Furthermore, we feel that the periodicity of progress reports should be decided at the 17th Session of the Committee on Fisheries.
In concluding, we would wish to say that the Draft Resolution now before us is consistent with our own fisheries development programme. We therefore wish to express our wholehearted support for it.
Roger Martin, Chairman of Commission I, took the chair
Roger Martin, Président de la Commission I, assume la présidence
Ocupa la presidencia Roger Martin, Presidente de la Comisión I
CHAIRMAN: Before asking the Congo to take the floor, I would just like to inform you a bit about what's happening. You know why I have not been here for some days, which is quite a particular situation, of course. I would like to tell you that the small group of friends which is trying to find solutions for the text on Africa has indeed been working hard for several days, as I more or less implied. The work is not yet finished and there are a few articles or paragraphs still to be seen and discussed. As you can imagine, they are not the easiest ones. Consequently, this afternoon I will have to be there at that group of friends and ask for your understanding. Hopefully, we will then have a solution late this afternoon.
Mme A. NIOMBELA MAMBULA (Congo): La délégation congolaise tient à exprimer sa satisfaction pour les résultats extrêment positifs auxquels est parvenue la Conférence mondiale de la FAO sur l'aménagement et le développement des pêches.
Ces résultats pensons-nous sont le fruit d'une phase préparatoire minutieuse qui a précédé la tenue de cette importante réunion. Nous tenons donc à rendre hommage au Directeur général de la FAO et au Secrétaire général de cette Conférence pour toutes les initiatives prises afin d'aboutir à ces résultats.
Le Congo, qui a activement pris part aux travaux de cette Conférence, n'a pas d'autres intentions ici que d'appuyer une nouvelle fois la stratégie d'aménagement et de développement des pêches y compris les éléments principaux qui la composent et notamment la contribution des pêches à la réalisation des objectifs socio- économiques et nutritionnels et son poids dans l'amélioration de l’autosuffisance alimentaire nationale. C'est pourquoi nous apportons notre soutien au fait qu'on ait insisté sur le rôle des besoins spéciaux du secteur de la pêche artisanale car celle-ci joue un rôle de tout premier plan dans nombre de pays en développement, sans pour autant tourner le dos à la grande peche qui doit être à la base d'une coopération internationale active et équilibrée.
A cet égard, en raison de leur contribution à celle-ci,nous pensons que l'adoption des cinq programmes d'action par la Conférence semble être le résultat le plus probant de la Conférence et nous sommes certains que les Etats Membres de la FAO apporteront un soutien actif à ces programmes jusqu'à leur complète réalisation.
Si nous nous réjouissons du travail mené par le Secrétariat pour la diffusion des résultats de cette Conférence, nous sommes davantage satisfaits de la mise en oeuvre des programmes d'action dont le financement connaît des développements heureux. Nous souhaitons néanmoins que tous les programmes d'action rencontrent le même écho auprès des donateurs pour que ces cinq programmes, qui constituent un tout cohérent, s'exécutent au même rythme.
Le Congo déploie en ce moment des efforts pour revitaliser l'action des pêches,aussi bien la pêche maritime que continentale. Il se soucie de relever le niveau des revenus des pêcheurs et d'améliorer leurs conditions de vie. Voilà pourquoi nous partageons ce qui est dit au paragraphe 32 sur le rôle du pêcheur.
Enfin, ma délégation se déclare satisfaite des résultats des travaux de la Conférence et du début de la mise en oeuvre des décisions et résolutions de la Conférence et approuve fermement le projet de résolution annexé au document C 85/22 soumis à notre examen.
Sra. Delia de VILLAMONTE (Panamá): Mi delegación desea, en primer lugar, agradecer al señor Carroz por la clara introducción del tema.
El sector pesca constituye una de las áreas capitales de nuestra economía y fuente alimentaria inagotable, razón por la que concedemos importancia especial a la conservación y utilización racional de los recursos pesqueros en las aguas marítimas y continentales, así como la relativa al fomento de la acuicultura, renglón al que Panamá confiere un interés particular, específicamente en lo que se refiere a intercambios de técnicas y experiencias.
Dentro de este contexto, reiteramos nuestro apoyo a las Estrategias para la Ordenación y Desarrollo de la Pesca, y de manera especial a los Programas de Acción por considerar que constituyen instrumentos amplios y eficaces para la obtención de resultados prácticos.
Es por ello que nuestra delegación reconoce la eficacia con que la FAO ha puesto de relieve las principales Recomendaciones de la Conferencia Mundial, en especial lo referente a los cinco Programas de Acción en los diferentes órganos de la Organización y de las Naciones Unidas.
Asimismo, consideramos loable los significativos progresos logrados en la movilización de ayuda para dichos programas, aspecto del que nuestra delegación se congratula por las respuestas positivas de muchos donantes, a los cuales felicitamos.
Igualmente, agradecemos los esfuerzos que se realizan en búsqueda de un equilibrio regional en aplicación de los programas. Tales acciones, a juicio de nuestra delegación, facilitarán que regiones menos beneficiadas como la nuestra, América Latina y el Caribe puedan verse atendidas en lo que se refiere a los esquemas y orientaciones a presentar a los países para la elaboración del Informe. Deseamos resaltar que además de la uniformidad, se prevea una amplia participación y una divulgación adecuada.
Finalmente, señor Presidente, mi delegación brinda su total apoyo al Proyecto de Resolución de conformidad a lo acordado en el 86° período de sesiones de esta Organización.
Srta.Dra. Hilda LOPEZ de MORAL (Colombia): La delegacion de Colombia desea agradecer al señor Carroz por la presentación de este documento de por sí muy valioso por su contenido. El Sr. Carroz ha procedido a destacar, para información de esta Conferencia, los hechos sobresalientes y los logros de la FAO en materia de pesca, sobre todo a partir de la Conferencia Mundial de la FAO sobre Ordenación y Desarrollo Pesqueros, los resultados más importantes de la misma así como las medidas complementarias inmediatas adoptadas o previstas por esta Organización.
Nuestro país tiene posibilidades casi ilimitadas de desarrollo pesquero, con vastas costas en dos mares que nos dan acceso a importantes y variados recursos, así como ríos y lagos que nos abren fronteras para la acuicultura aún no completamente exploradas.
El Gobierno de Colombia está muy reconocido al Director General de la FAO, y en particular a usted señor Carroz, por la valiosa asistencia que esta Organización ha ofrecido al Gobierno de Colombia. La asistencia de reconocidos y valiosos expertos pesqueros enviados por la FAO a nuestro país, está aquí activando nuestros propósitos de reordenar los recursos pesqueros, racionalizando la producción, e integrando esta importante actividad en los planes de desarrollo del país para que, a la par de la agricultura, contribuya a aumentar la oferta de alimentos ricos en proteínas no sólo para el consumo interno sino también como producto de exportación, fuente de empleo y de divisas.
Colombia participó activamente en la Conferencia Mundial de la FAO sobre Ordenación y Desarrollo Pesqueros celebrada en junio de 1984. Tiene gran interés en conocer los informes sobre los adelantos alcanzados en aplicación de las decisiones adoptadas por la misma.
Colombia, señor Presidente, ha seguido muy de cerca todo lo relativo a la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Derecho del Mar, y nos complace sobremanera la colaboración que se ha establecido con la FAO en esta materia. Este interés nuestro se manifiesta también por el hecho de que Colombia es Miembro de la Comisión del Pacífico Sur que actualmente tiene su sede en nuestro país, y es dirigida por un compatriota nuestro, el Dr. Joaquín Fonseca.
Por todo lo anteriormente expuesto, señor Presidente, damos nuestro pleno apoyo a la Estrategia para la Ordenación y el Desarrollo de la Pesca que fuera presentada y aprobada por la Conferencia Regional para América Latina en Buenos Aires y el Consejo en su 87° período de sesiones, así como sus planes de acción, especialmente en lo que se refiere a los programas interregionales, regionales y subregionales, como figura en los párrafos siete al diez del documento que nos ocupa.
Nos complace la idea de que el tema "los pescadores y sus comunidades" haya sido elegido para celebrar el Día Mundial de la Alimentación 1986.
Espera nuestra delegación que la participación de la mujer en las actividades pesqueras sea puesta de relieve. En este sentido, vemos con beneplácito la Resolución presentada en la Comisión II por la delegación de Venezuela sobre el papel de la mujer en todas las actividades que interesan a esta Organización.
Finalmente, señor Presidente, Colombia desea apoyar la Resolución contenida en el Apéndice de este documento, en el documento C 85/LIM/24, y espera que reciba el apoyo unánime de esta Conferencia.
Sra. Doña Pilar GARCIA DOÑORO (España): Gracias per concedernos la palabra. Quisiéramos resaltar que España tiene un gran interés en todos los temas de pesca, y esto se ha demostrado en diferentes circunstancias;por ejemplo, la participación de mi país en diferentes organismos internacionales y multilaterales, y más recientemente en la Conferencia Mundial sobre Ordenación y Desarrollo Pesqueros celebrada el año pasado, con la presencia en la Conferencia, en la Sesión Inaugural, de Su Majestad el Rey de España. Posteriormente, se recogió el contenido de la Conferencia y la conveniencia de continuar el análisis de los temas propuestos.
En España se ha organizado este mismo año, en el mes de septiembre en La Toja, una Conferencia de Ministros de Pesca que ha tenido un gran éxito, a decir por los participantes. Como asistentes, contamos con la presencia de varios países, veinticuatro: República Federal de Alemania, Angola, Argelia, Argentina, Bélgica, Brasil, Cabo Verde, República Popular de China, Francia, Grecia, Guinea, Guinea Ecuatorial, Indonesia, Irlanda, Madagascar, Marruecos, Mauritania, México, Mozambique, Países Bajos, Portugal, Reino Unido y Uruguay así como organismos como la FAO y Comunidad Económica Europea. Fue una ocasión ideal para, dentro de un marco muy apropiado, poder estar discutiendo durante varios días el seguimiento precisamente de las decisiones que habían sido tomadas en la Conferencia Mundial de Pesca.
Esto supuso, esta ocasión, en Galicia, en España, un momento para promover una serie de intercambios de ideas acerca de las medidas que se habían tomado por los diferentes países ya y por las organizaciones participantes, con vistas a la implementación de esta Estrategia, y al buscar nuevas fórmulas de cooperación internacional.
Contamos con la presencia, en la inauguración, del Sr. Saouma, y otro día también contamos con la presencia de nuestro Presidente, el Presidente del Gobierno español, el Sr. Felipe González. Esta Conferencia, como decía, tuvo un clima muy cálido de comportamiento. Se tocaron varios temas; principalmente se hizo un análisis por parte de los participantes de las políticas pesqueras de sus países.
Estos temas se podrán encontrar próximamente en una publicación que creo va a llevar a cabo la FAO y también nuestro país. Se resaltaron algunos otros temas prioritarios como fueron los aspectos de cooperación bilateral, regional y multilateral, igual que la importancia de la pesca para la alimentación humana en la lucha contra el hambre.
Se sugirieron por algunos representaciones nuevas vías para incrementar la producción, como pueden ser las capturas de nuevas especies o especies todavía poco explotadas, el desarrollo de la pesca industrial y el fomento de la acuicultura.
Otros temas importantes que se tocaron en esta Conferencia de La Toja fueron el fomento al comercio internacional de pescados y productos pesqueros, a pesar de que varios países señalaron las dificultades que suponen las medidas arancelarias vigentes en muchos países importadores de estos productos.
Se resaltaron también los aspectos de formación profesional de los pescadores y la formación de cuadros como elementos indispensables para el desarrollo de las pesquerías y, explícitamente, se apoyaron los cinco Programas de Acción de la Conferencia Mundial de Pesca, que fueron unánimemente recogidos por todos los participantes. También se aprobó una declaración final recogiendo todos estos aspectos. En este sentido queremos decir que nosotros creímos que era una ocasión importante para empezar a analizar cómo se estaba avanzando entre los distintos países en la estrategia sugerida en la reunión de la Conferencia Mundial, y algunos resultados interesantes ya se han podido detectar.
Mi país ha colaborado, como es sabido, desde hace bastante tiempo en tareas de cooperación internacional y para ello ha aportado sus vías propias con el desarrollo de acuerdos de pesca con distintos países, países que sobre todo están situados en la zona africana: Marruecos, Angola, Seychelles y otros; y creemos que tenemos una experiencia importante en cuanto a este tipo de cooperación. Nos gustaría poder desarrollar otro tipo de cooperación con los países tan amigos nuestros de América del Sur, pero algunas razones geográficas, la lejanía y la falta de conocimientos sobre las poblaciones marinas de esos fondos han impedido, por el momento, otro tipo de relación. España, en todo caso, se encuentra muy abierta a todo tipo de sugerencias que ayude en la línea del desarrollo de la pesquería para los países ribereños y para todos aquellos países que a nivel internacional tienen una presencia histórica importante en estos temas.
Por tanto, es un placer para nuestro país apoyar la resolución que ha sido presentada a esta Conferencia, y queremos que conste explícitamente que vamos a hacer todo lo posible para cumplir todos los compromisos que entre todos nosotros queremos llevar a cabo.
Václay DOBES (Czechoslovakia\): Permit me first of all to express, on behalf of the Czechoslovak delegation, appreciation of the work done so far in the elaboration and implementation of the conclusions of the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. It is understandable that the document under discussion, C 85/22, pays main attention to the broad range of questions of sea fisheries. I myself, however, speaking as representative of a landlocked country, may state with satisfaction that due attention is paid also to questions connected with the further development of fresh-water fisheries.
I say so because Czechoslovakia has no access to the seas and cannot, therefore, make use of its riches. That is why we have focused attention on the promotion of the breeding of freshwater fish which has a long tradition in my country, dating back, in fact, to the 14th century.
May I add, for your information, that for purposes of fish breeding we have available at present some 136 thousand hectares of water surface. The main species bred is the carp, but we also produce other thoroughbreds. This is possible, inter alia, by means of artificial reproduction, controlled milting etc.
We do not engage only in the breeding as such. We have an elaborate system of fish breeding. We have managed, by using appropriate technologies, to minimalize losses in breeding. We take measures to improve water environment in fish ponds to the best possible degree. We make use of heated up water, etc. I feel I should also inform you that the nature of our agricultural production is linked organically to fisheries. Our fish ponds are of importance for the regulation of groundwater in the soil, for irrigation and other uses of water for different purposes.
All I have said illustrates our full support for the conclusions adopted by the World Conference on Fisheries and demonstrates clearly enough the attention paid in my country to fish breeding.
As an active member of FAO, we are ready to make available our experiences, procedures and achievements in this field to other countries, especially developing countries, some of which, the same as our country, have no access to the use of the riches of oceans and have practically the same conditions in this sphere.
Permit me, therefore, to avail myself of this opportunity to say that our country offers its aid to developing countries in the form of expertise and advisory service, as well as its scientific, technological and pedagogical assistance in this field. We do not limit our offer of assistance to the sphere of fish breeding. We are ready to provide assistance in the construction of fish ponds and reservoirs, in the care of biological purity and in the combat of infections and diseases of fish.
In conclusion, may I add that our tradition in fisheries is closely linked to our system of specialized education. Therefore we also offer facilities for training specialists from developing countries in our production plants, research institutes and universities.
Quite separate is our offer to hold training seminars which would include theoretical instruction and practical demonstration in the field and subsequent training.
We are aware that desirable results require projects of this type to be duly prepared, both as concerns their organization and the subjects to be dealt with, and that they have to be discussed in detail, and provided for financially in cooperation with FAO.
I would like to ask you, Mr Chairman, to consider this offer as the Czechoslovak contribution to the implementation of the conclusions adopted by the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development.
Abdalla Mekki OSMAN (Sudan) (original language Arabic): We wish to thank FAO for the commendable effort it has never ceased to make for the development of fisheries and increasing fish production in various countries of the world through extension, training and other methods.
Sudan considers that among the most important forms of assistance provided by FAO in this area was the establishment of the regional aquaculture centre in Nigeria. We hope that the centre's programmes will expand and cover most of the African countries, including Sudan. We attach great hopes on the training of a high number of persons in aquaculture and in the preparation of feed blends for several varieties of fish.
Mr Chairman, Sudan's experience relies on the success of small-scale inland fisheries, and in this respect, Sudan wishes to express its satisfaction for the progress which took place after the First World Conference on Fisheries and gave birth to great hopes for the financing of such projects, for we expect that they will provide a wealth of expanded training courses to the fishermen of the region.
I must also deeply thank FAO and UNDP for the valuable assistance they offered to Sudan for the establishment of the "Mohammad Gol" in East Sudan. These fisheries have achieved an unparalleled success, and we hope that we shall all be able to establish similar stations in other parts of Sudan, such as the Lake of Moulia and Djebel Awlia.
ALHAJI D.D. APANPA (Nigeria): First of all, my delegation wishes to congratulate the Director-General and the Fisheries Department of FAO for their comprehensive preparation of document C 85/22, otherwise known as the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Develoment.
Secondly, my delegation is very appreciative of the brillant manner in which Mr Carroz introduced the subject matter. I am also delighted to say that my delegation fully participated in all the meetings which preceeded the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development in June 1984. The last COFI meeting was also attended in full by my delegation.
Briefly, Nigeria , as a coastal state has a large area in which the coastal influence is non-existent. For this reason, we place great importance on both marine fisheries and the developement of aquaculture to fulfill our great need for animal protein. Inasmuch as we are trying hard to meet these obligations, there are still many gaps to be filled simply because of limited know-how, coupled with unavailability of necessary equipment and facilities to help us achieve a comprehensive Fisheries Management and Development Programme.
With this background in mind, we view as of great importance the first World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development initiated by FAO. In considering the implementation of the strategy for Fisheries Management and Development, together with Programmes of Action, we wish to congratulate the Director-General and the FAO Secretariat in general, as well as the Assistant Director-General, Mr Carroz, and his department in particular, for all the various activities that have already been undertaken.
My delegation also takes this opportunity to thank all the donors who have contributed yo the FAO effort in realizing the successful implementation of the approved Programmes of Action. My delegation especially congratulates Poland, Norway and the United States of America for their help in fisheries planning, fisheries trade information and CECAF furding. We expect other donors to follow suit, by contributing either in cash or kind to fisheries development and management, especially in the developing countries.
My delegation believes that the developing countries should not always be on the receiving end, and as a result, Nigeria is currently considering the secondment of personnel to complement the CECAF Staff Secretariat, as well as our contribution to infrastructural facilities for ARAC, the African Regional Aquaculture Centre. My delegation fully endorses the resolutions of the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development, and the follow-up actions already taken or proposed.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your intervention and for your contribution more generally.
Mme Laetitia OUEDRAOGO-GUIGMA (Burkina Faso): Le présent document, qui résume les principaux résultats des travaux de la Conférence mondiale de la FAO sur l'aménagement et le développement des pêches, retient l'attention de la délégation du Burkina Faso, même si mon pays est très enclavé et n'a pas les activités de la pêche pour vocation. Cependant le gouvernement de mon pays qui ne ménage aucun effort pour parvenir à l’autosuffisance alimentaire donne à la pêche en eau douce et à la pisciculture la place qu'elles méritent. La stratégie et les cinq programmes d'action issus de la Conférence sur les pêches ont l'avantage de dégager des principes et des idées directrices variés, non rigides, ceci devant permettre à chaque pays de les adapter à sa situation particulière, en tenant compte de sa souveraineté nationale. Aussi le programme d'action a reçu un écho favorable auprès de mon gouvernement car il répond à une partie de notre politique alimentaire. Une.vaste campagne est mise en place pour favoriser la pêche et la pisciculture afin d'augmenter l'apport calorique et Protéique humain dans l'alimentation de nos populations. Aussi, nous soutenons les travaux de cette Conférence et surtout les cinq programmes d'action proposés et nous souhaitons que les principaux résultats de cette Conférence sur les pêches qui ont déjà eu un début ne demeurent pas lettre morte et puissent continuer. Nous voudrions que tout soit mis en oeuvre pour l'aboutissement des résolutions y afférentes. Enfin, nous espérons que le thème de la journée mondiale de l'alimentation consacrée à la pêche et aux pêcheurs permettra de développer la pêche artisanale et de valoriser la formation des petits pêcheurs de notre pays qui semblent être oubliés en faveur des grands.
Oscar SALES PETINGA (Portugal): La délégation portugaise a déjà eu l'occasion d'exprimer sa satisfaction au cours de la dernière réunion du Comité des Pêches pour les initiatives qui avaient été prises ou prévues par le Directeur général de la FAO en vue de l'application pratique de la stratégie d'aménagement et de développement des pêches approuvée par la Conférence mondiale.
Nous sommes d'accord sur l'avantage qu'il y a à présenter périodiquement des rapports qui permettent d'évaluer les progrès réalisés dans chaque pays dans l'application des principes et des idées directives déjà approuvées. Quant aux dispositions complémentaires qui devront être prises pour mobiliser
des formes d'appui pour l'exécution des programmes d'action et réduire les déséquilibres existant dans la répartition des fonds, nous pensons qu'il est essentiel et indispensable de développer la coordination et la conjugaison des efforts entre les pays développés et les pays en voie de développement, sans quoi les objectifs proposés par la Conférence seront difficilement atteints.
C'est pourquoi nous estimons indispensable que soit poursuivi le dialogue avec les pays et les organismes donateurs, afin de pouvoir harmoniser les programmes d'action avec les besoins des pays bénéficiaires.
Mon pays, qui dispose d'une des zones économiques exclusives les plus vastes du monde, relativement à sa superficie terrestre, accompagne avec le plus haut intérêt tout ce qui se rapporte à la confirmation des ressources maritimes et au progrès technologique dans le domaine des pêches, convaincu qu'il est des grandes potentialités de ses eaux en ressources marines dont l'exploitation de sa part est en-deçà des possibilités existantes.
Haris ZANNETIS (Cyprus): Let me first express our appreciation of the comprehensive introduction by Mr Carroz. The World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development came at a very opportune time and we hope that it came in sufficient time to have an effect on the rational exploitation of countries' marine resources for the benefit of all. We welcome the strategy on fisheries management and development which came out of the world conference. Its principles and guidelines are taken seriously into consideration in the formulation of our fisheries management development policy.
Moreover, we welcome even more the adoption of the five programmes of action which the World Fisheries Conference approved, as it is clearly obvious to us that many of the developing countries and, indeed, Cyprus, require assistance to exploit and manage rationally their fisheries resources. The different socio-economic needs prevailing in different countries and the widespread lack of resources make the development of fisheries a problem in many ways. The main transfer of necessary technology is not enough to guarantee lasting self-reliance. This is why we look forward to the timely implementation of the five action programmes, elaborated at the World Fisheries Conference. This is why we would like to see a strong recommendation with regard to the financial support of the five action programmes and international assistance, in particular by FAO, to developing countries. Substantial financial support is necessary if the programmes of action are to be successful in achieving their aims. Without such support, they will remain idle dreams.
The different geographical regions covered by the programmes of action often have very different needs, but these needs are invariably substantial and if not dealt with, will become a stumbling block for future development in that area. Equally, there is a need for a balance in the various components of the various programmes of action, a balance which surely must be arrived at by taking into account not only economic and social criteria, but keeping in mind at the same time both the short- and long-term needs of mankind in fish.
Cyprus is but a small country in a sea which is relatively poor in resources. These resources are heavily exploited, and often over-exploited. Thi's kind of over-exploitation of resources invariably results in direct or indirect pressures on the resources of other states. We look forward to assistance being given to or through the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean for the better management and exploitation of the Mediterranean.
This having been said, I must also point out that the scant resources of the Mediterranean, however well exploited, are unlikely to be sufficient for the needs of its population. We look forward to the further development of aquaculture as an alternative producer of fish for our people. In the light of this, and the nature 'of the fisheries and, indeed, most of the Mediterranean fisheries which are, to a large extent, smallscale fisheries, we welcome the support for the programmes of action for the Mediterranean region in this sphere. Therefore, we welcome the regular monitoring by the FAO Conference of the progress achieved in the imple‐mentation of the action programmes and their financing, as well as the good progress achieved in the strategy adopted by the World Fisheries Conference.
With these remarks, the delegation of Cyprus would like to support the resolution before the Commission.
IBRAHIMA KABA (Guinée): Le gouvernement de mon pays a activement participé à la préparation et au déroulement de la Conférence mondiale sur la peche par l'envoi d'une importante délégation dirigée par le Secrétaire d'Etat à la pêche, et cela compte tenu de l'intérêt que nous accordons à cette activité économique encore peu exploitée par manque de moyens.
Les cinq programmes d'action, en particulier, et les résultats de la Conférence mondiale en général, sont considérés par mon pays comme un apport considérable de la FAO à l'impulsion du secteur de la pêche.
Comme suite immédiate aux recommandations de la Conférence, mon pays, avec l'assistance de la FAO,. s'est attelé à la confection d'un code de la pêche, document juridique indispensable à la réglementation des activités de peche. Avec un financement de la BAD (Banque africaine du développement) la FAO a étudié un important projet de pêche artisanale d'un montant d'environ 25 millions de dollars. De plus, depuis la Conférence mondiale qui a indiqué avec objectivité les démarches les mieux appropriées pour la mise sur pied d'une stratégie qui tienne compte de tous les paramètres sociaux et économiques du pays, notre gouvernement a initié des projets qui ont le mérite d'améliorer progressivement l'approvisionnement des pêcheurs en facteurs de production, et d'augmenter l'offre en produits de pêche.
Ainsi, ma délégation approuve les résultats de la Conférence et appuie le projet de résolution. Mon pays considère les résultats de cette Conférence comme un moyen efficace à l'impulsion de la coopération internationale.
PANAYIOTIS SKALIERIS (Greece): Fisheries is an important source of wealth which contributes to national nutritional and economic goals. It is for this reason that we agree fully with the strategy for fisheries management and development. The rational management of fish resources calls for international cooperation in fisheries. Indeed, thus can individual and collective self-reliance in fisheries be ensured. Achievements of this nature benefit not only developing countries striving to improve the nutritional level of their people, but also industrialized countries, in view of the inter-dependence between the economies of all countries of the international community.
My country is devoted to the principles of the United Nations Charter and we fervently believe in the principles of international cooperation for the solution of all problems of common concern. We would make every possible effort to contribute to the successful implementation of the recommendations and decisions of the World Fisheries Conference of FAO.
In this context, we support the draft resolution which is before us for consideration and adoption.
Husseien Ali AHMED (Somalia): Some time in the distant past Somalia tended towards animal husbandry as a means of livelihood, but a segment of our population has supported itself for centuries by fishing. Their vessels and fishing gear were primitive: processing was simply salting the fish and drying it in the sun. The only marketing outlets were the itinerant Arab traders who ranged the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean far down the east coast of Africa in their sailing dhows.
The Government of Somalia, recognizing the economic significance of its fishery resources, has demonstrated by its action, its eagerness and its determination, its desire to utilize this asset to the extent of its sustainable potential, and within the bounds of product resources and management practices. Fisheries resources could also be used in diversifying the national economy from are that totally relies on agricultural and pastoral production to one less seriously affected by the climatic extremes to which Somalia is subject.
The goal of our development plans is to fully utilize these resources at maximum sustainable economic yield levels by properly planning the number and sizes of fishing vessels, by purchasing efficient fishing gear and by providing well-trained fishermen with provisions. Harbour supply facilities, fishing gear, fuel, decks and engines are also to be developed in parallel
with the expansion in the fishing fleet and fish collection facility. Fish landing and storage, processing and marketing facilities and systems are also to be well-planned and developed properly to absorb the increasing fish products.
The three-year development plan, 1979-81, contained an ambitious programme for the fisheries sector involving 20 different projects, thus providing the foundation upon which to build a viable coastal industry. Twenty-five fishery cooperatives were formed along the entire length of the Somalia seaboard of 3 300 kilometres with the assistance of FAO and other donor countries. During the current period of the five year development plan 1982/86 fisheries production from the industrial and artisanal sector will be increased through the establishment of joint venture companies and the full utilization of the Government fishing fleet.
During the period the Government is directing and therefore, creating an environment that encourages expansion, and to this end, desirable policy changes include: a) finalization of a Somalia fisheries law giving the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources legal authority, commensurate with its responsibilities and actions; b) liberalization of active private-sector participation; c) liberalization of fish prices from control to find their own levels and to allow each section a reasonable profit; and d) creation of a revolving loan scheme to assist fishermen in acquiring their own boats and gear.
Temei ISKIT (Turkey): I apologize for asking for the floor at this advanced stage of our discussion, but I will try to be very brief. First of all I wish to reiterate our appreciation of FAO's efforts, through its Department of Fisheries under the able direction of Dr Carroz, to promote international cooperation and foster self-reliance of developing countries to manage and develop their fisheries resources. Let me assure you that Turkey strives actively to participate in all aspects of cooperation in this field.
Turkey, which is surrounded by four seas and which has large aquaculture resources, has a very rich potential in this field, but this potential is still only partially tapped. In order to tap this potential to a larger extent, we seek to develop an integrated system covering cold and deep-freeze conservation of the fish exploited, proper management of distribution channels and the establishment of effective management information systems.
When such a system is set up we hope that most of the production and marketing problems which Turkey is presently facing will also be solved to a great extent.
In addition to the aquaculture activities, we seek to promote the production of economic species, such as eel, catfish, freshwater cray fish and others. Of course, the fullillment of all these aims requires economic and technical cooperation with international or bilateral funding institutions. This is valid especially for the production of rare species such as sturgeon and sea trout.
We are also convinced that coordination with adjacent coastal states is necessary for the better management of marrying resources.
With regard to access to control measures, limits for size and species, as well as gear and equipment used, are the areas where we can learn such cooperation. We believe that all neighbouring states should cooperate within the principle of mutual respect of sovereign rights.
Finally, I should like to affirm that Turkey has not signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and that Turkey's participation in the World Conference on Fisheries or her approval of the Strategy. Did not in any way imply her acceptance of the provisions of the Convention referred to in the Strategy and associated programmes of action.
My Delegation endorses the resolution before this Commission with this understanding.
André JEAN LOUIS (Haïti): La situation insulaire de la République d'Haïti, le déficit qu'accuse le regime alimentaire des classes pauvres en majorité, la participation importante d'une partie de la population rurale aux activités de peche artisanale suffisent pour justifier l'intérêt de ma délégation pour ces débats relatifs à la Conférence mondiale sur l'aménagement et le développement des pêches. Le Gouvernement haïtien a déployé et déploie des efforts considérables pour la promotion de ce secteur; particulièrement l'amélioration de la pêche artisanale retient notre attention au prime abord. Parallèment, à l'intérieur du pays, nous essayons de développer l'aquaculture. Il est indéniable que les potentialités en aquaculture ne sont pas négligeables et la FAO nous fournit une aide appréciable dans ce domaine.
Nous espérons bénéficier de la coopération d'autres institutions et de certains pays amis; aussi soutenons-nous les travaux de la Conférence sur les pêches et souscrivons-nous aux cinq programmes d'action qu'elle a approuvés.
La République d'Haïti tient à renouveler son intérêt pour les pêches et sa disposition à coopérer à la promotion des activités dans ce domaine. Ma délégation donne son plein appui au projet de résolution présenté.
CHAIRMAN: The delegate of Syria has forwarded his written statement to the Secretariat to be included in the verbatim report regarding agenda item 9.
Mohamed Rachid KANBAR (Syria)(original language Arabic): I beg in the first instance to thank the Secretariat for the well-prepared document on the World Fisheries Conference.
My country pays special attention to fisheries on account of the important role that the fisheries sector plays in nutrition and Food Security. With this in view, we have established a special body for fisheries and are we providing the material and human inputs that are necessary for the discharge of its functions.
Mr Chairman, my delegation welcomes the outcome of the World Fisheries Conference. We support, as well the action programmes that were adopted by the Conference with the aim of assisting developing nations in the development of their fishery sector.
Finally, we support the draft resolution before the Conference concerning the results of the World Fisheries Conference. 1/
LE PRESIDENT: Pourrais-je maintenant entamer la catégorie des observateurs où sont inscrits l'URSS, la Communauté écomonique européenne, l’Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
Jurij A. ZNAMENSKI (Observer for the USSR\): I will be very brief. It is well known that to provide knowledge to the developing countries is one of the basic principles of the foreign economic policy of the USSR, and with regard to fisheries, this was shown by the Minister of Fisheries of my country during the World Fisheries Conference in 1984. In relation to the developing countries, I would like to inform the Conference that the Soviet Union supports the FAO initiative to conduct seminars and training courses in the Soviet Union, concerning the management of fish farms and fisheries in inland waters. The Soviet Union has experience in this field. These seminars, fully realized by FAO, are in accordance with the programme of action approved by the World Fishery Conference. We think the programmes of such seminars and training courses could be developed through the FAO.
1/ Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
CHAIRMAN: I have been telling you this morning that the work in the Friends of the Chair Committee is going on, and it is not finished and that work will be going on this afternoon. It will still take a few hours to say the least. In those circumstances there are some difficulties with our timing. However, there is a possibility, which is a real possibility and which is normal, and that is that the Chairman, in this case me, can suggest to you that the Informal Consultations Committee or Group produce a text, and this text, when it is ready, can be sent immediately to the Drafting Committee. Then, of course, you will see it afterwards and you can adopt it afterwards here in Plenary. So, my proposal is, and I really do not like to do it, but I can assure you it is normal procedure, to send that text that will hopefully come out of the Friends of the Chair Committee, directly to the Drafting Committee, and of course it will be discussed afterwards. Is this proposal agreeable to everybody? I see that it is. Thank you very much indeed for your understanding.
Gilles DESESQUELLES (Communauté économique européenne): La Commission de la Communauté économique européenne, en ce moment de bilan, comme elle a déjà eu l'occasion de le souligner lors de la seizième réunion du COFI et de la quatre-vingt-septième session du conseil, tient à exprimer sa satisfaction du succès de la Conférence mondiale sur l'aménagement des pêches, de ses conséquences et notamment des objectifs qu'elle s'est fixés dans la stratégie et les cinq programmes d'action. Ce témoignage de satisfaction a entre-temps été également affirmé par le Parlement européen dans une résolution du mois de mai 1985.
En ce qui concerne le rapport qui nous est soumis aujourd'hui, permettez-moi d'attirer votre attention sur trois points particuliers:
a) La Commission est prête à collaborer avec les instances de la FAO afin de présenter un rapport au nom de la Communauté au sujet du suivi de la Conférence. Cependant, les Etats membres de la Communauté vont présenter des rapports nationaux étant donné que les questions de pêche, bien que faisant partie des compétences exclusives de la Communauté, dans le contexte de la Conférence mondiale, ont revêtu un caractère plus général qui a trait à la politique de développement, elle même en partie du ressort des Etats membres.
b) Un autre point sur lequel le représentant de la Communauté avait attiré votre attention lors de la seizième réunion du COFI et de la quatre-vingt-septième session du Conseil concerne la création d'un sous-comité sur le commerce international des produits de la pêche. La Commission, consciente de l'importance politique et économique des questions commerciales,entend participer activement au nom de la Communauté aux travaux de ce sous-comité. Il est à souligner donc quesi la Communauté ne dispose pas de statut approprié, compte tenu notamment de sa compétence exclusive en matière de pêche ainsi que de politique commerciale, sa contribution risque d'être très limitée, ce qui va à l'encontre des intérêts dudit sous-comité.
c) Concernant le projet de résolution repris en annexe du rapport, permettez-moi de souligner que l'utilisation optimale mentionnée au quatrième considérant comme condition préalable,et à la fois conséquence inévitable,l’exploitation rationnelle des ressources. Celle-ci doit être également prise en compte si l'on veut garantir un cadre sain de développement à long terme du secteur de la pêche. En effet, faute de mécanismes adéquats pour imposer des contraintes dans le cadre de la pêche au niveau international, certains pays en développement qui ne disposent pas eux mêmes des moyens d'assurer cette exploitation rationnelle risquent de se voir confrontés à une situation irréversible.
I. A. RONQUILLO (Observer, Intergovernmental Oceanographie Commission): It is indeed an honour and a pleasure for me to participate in this Commission of the FAO Conference on behalf of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
These past forty years have witnessed an admirable list of achievements by FAO in its special field; and I shall be referring particularly to its achievements in the field of fisheries.
The IOC commends the Director-General for his initiative to convene the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. The IOC and FAO have been associated in research studies during the past 25 years. It has enjoyed the close collaboration of FAO directly or through two mechanisms: first, FAO's Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research is one of three scientific advisory bodies to the Commission and has guided the IOC in a number of major marine scientific research fields; second, FAO's participated in the Intersecretariat Committee on Scientific Programmes relating to Oceanography, established in 1969, through which the UN organizations concerned use the commission as an instrument for discharging certain of their responsibilities in the field of marine science.
There are several major areas in which FAO and IOC collaborate, to the mutual benefit of their Member States.
Oceanography, as you know, includes almost all aspects of marine science, and therefore has much in common with fishery science. A clear understanding of the relationship between the marine living resources and the marine environment is essential if optimum use is to be made of these resources.
A significant step forward in increasing our understanding of this relationship has been made with the launching of the Joint IOC-FAO Programme on Ocean Science in Relation to Living Resources. This programme can make a potentially significant contribution to achieving certain of FAO's objectives by contributing to the development of the scientific basis for the rational assessment and management of living marine resources. Other IOC programmes, notably that on ocean dynamics and climate, will in the long run, also contribute to this understanding and finally to the desired level of forecasting of changes in abundance in distribution of fish stocks.
Another field of IOC activity that meets FAO's interest is marine pollution, including the effects of pollutants on the living resources. Here, the IOC has long recognized the importance of preventing the degradation of the marine environment to the detriment of its living resources, and the cooperation of FAO in the development of the IOC's Global Investigation of Pollution in the Marine Environment is much appreciated.
Training, Education and Mutual Assistance in the Marine Sciences activities are given high priority in IOC programmes although FAO caters for the needs of the fishery sector, most of the related science training is undertaken by IOC and by UNESCO. We have been conducting for many years, a TEMA programme as an integral part of each of the Commission's scientific programmes and ocean services, but this effort, though valuable, has not met all the needs of the Member States in this field. The IOC has, therefore, adopted at its Twelfth Assembly in 1982, a comprehensive plan for major assistance programmes to enhance the marine science capabilities of developing states. This plan was subsequently endorsed by UNESCO and is being implemented jointly with a view to increasing national self-reliance in marine scientific affairs. Nevertheless, every effort is being made to ensure complementarity with analogous FAO activities, particularly those under the FAO special programme of assistance to developing countries in the development and management of fisheries in their exclusive economic zone. One significant joint activity was the IOC-FAO Workshop on Improved use of Research Vessels, which was supported by NORAD.
To meet the increasing demand for fish by a burgeoning world population, ways must be found to increase production, and one way to do this is to increase our understanding of the natural forces affecting fish-stock variations, and through correspondingly more efficient management based on that increased understanding.
We therefore were pleased that the Director-General of FAO convened the World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development in Rome from 27 June - 6 July 1984. This was a major event in international cooperation, and FAO and Dr Edouard Saouma in particular are to be congratulated. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission has been studying the strategy for fisheries management and development and the five Programmes of Action designed to assist developing states, mostly at regional and sub-regional levels, to increase their fish production and improve their individual and collective self-reliance in fisheries. The IOC is ready to respond to the call of that Conference to take into account the principles and guidelines of the strategy agreed thereat and to further develop its cooperation with FAO as the leading organization in the UN System for fisheries development.
Among the areas that will require closer FAO and IOC collaboration under the Programmes of Action adopted by the World Fisheries Conference will be the provision of advisory services for the promotion of fishery research and the analysis and exchange of marine scientific data and information. I am confident that such joint action in ocean science and resource exploitation will be a good example of the inter-agency collaboration for the benefit of Member States. The world food shortage is likely to continue, alas, but in many cases the living resources of the sea could make a greater contribution to the battle for food self-sufficiency. I therefore look forward to continuing and mutually beneficial cooperation in the framework of the ICSPRO Agreement between FAO and the IOC in the coming years, since much remains to be done to ensure the optimal and equitable use of the oceans and their resources through the mobilization at national, regional and global levels, and of the resources of FAO and IOC. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much for the speed at which you delivered your speech. That being said, do we have the time to allow the Secretariat three minutes for its answer?
J.E. CARROZ (Sous-Directeur général, Département des pêches): Je me limiterai à l'essentiel. Tout d'abord, au nom du Directeur général, je remercie toutes les délégations pour les paroles encourageantes à l'égard des programmes de la FAO dans le secteur des peches. Nous tiendrons évidemment compte de toutes vos observations dans le projet de rapport. J'aimerais rassurer les délégués à propos des rapports périodiques qui seront préparés sur la mise en oeuvre de la stratégie. Nous sommes en ce moment en train de terminer un modèle commun aussi simple que possible qui sera soumis aux administrations au début de l'année prochaine, qui, j'espère, facilitera la tâche des gouvernements en coopérant avec nous à la préparation de ces rapports périodiques. Plusieurs délégués ont insisté sur l'importance de l'aménagement rationnel des ressources halieutiques. Je dirai que c'est également notre préoccupation, ainsi que l'a souligné le Directeur général lui-même, et comme l'affirme le document C 85/22 qui vous a été soumis et, comme je l'espère cela se reflète dans les programmes du Département des peches pour le prochain biennium.
Nous avons été très sensibles également aux remarques faites sur l'importance de la coopération en matière de pêches. C'est évidemment valable pour toutes les régions mais je pense plus particulièrement au Pacifique Sud auquel a fait allusion le distingué représentant de l'Australie. Nous tiendrons le plus grand compte de ces remarques. Un dernier point sur le document C 85/22 qui fait référence à toutes les contributions qui ont déjà été faites par les gouvernements et les organisations internationales comme le PNUD à la mise en oeuvre des Programmes d'action. J'aimerais ici remercier les délégués qui ce matin ont offert leur coopération pour la mise en oeuvre de ces programmes. Nous avons apprécié évidemment les interventions des distingués représentants de la Tchécoslovaquie et de l'URSS et je puis vous assurer que nous entrerons en contact avec ces pays pour donner une suite heureuse à leur offre généreuse.
The meeting rose at 12.50 hours
La séance est levée à 12 h 50
Se levanta la sesión a las 12.50 horas
