UN Oceans Conference may boost global fisheries focus
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Subject
UN Oceans Conference.
Significance
Preparations are underway for the first-ever UN Oceans Conference, to be held in New York on June 5-9. A successful outcome could bolster protection of marine areas, which make up 71% of the planet’s surface, while bolstering confidence in multilateral cooperation despite Washington’s current desire to distance itself from the activities of the UN.
Impacts
- UN-backed measures against illegal fishing could help protect the 10-billion-dollar annual tuna fish trade.
- US withdrawal from the South Pacific Tuna Treaty could present Beijing with diplomatic opportunities in the Pacific.
- Robust economic interests will interact with Beijing’s sovereignty concerns over fishing rights in disputed South China Sea areas.
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