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The oceans, though vast and covering over 70% of the earth, 

 are a vulnerable and complex environment. Fish as well as many 

 other unique and important species live in or depend upon the 

 oceans. The oceans are this planet's primary life-support 

 systems. They provide most of our oxygen, moisture and weather- 

 patterns. We count on the seas for food, trade, recreation and 

 commerce. Without healthy oceans, life as we know it would end. 



The long term health of the oceans, coastal areas and diverse 

 forms of marine plant and animal life is critical to the life 

 support of this planet. Of urgent concern to the viability of 

 living marine ecosystems and global food security is the impact 

 and management of fishing in all areas of the world's oceans, 

 including, but not limited to, the high seas. 



Fishing is an ancient human tradition. Today, however, tradition 

 has been increasingly transformed into a capital intensive, high 

 technology global industry with the capacity to radically alter 

 the balance of nature in marine ecosystems throughout the world's 

 oceans and seas, with potentially devastating consequences. 



Reported global marine fish catches have risen from approximately 

 20 million tons per year in the early 1950s to 86 million tons by 

 1989. However, recent estimates indicate that marine landings 

 have fallen by over 4.5 million tons between 1989 and 1991 - a 

 warning that the limits may have been reached and indeed 



