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priority to large economic interests. Several reforms are needed, 

 some of which are addressed in subsection III,, above, regarding 

 equity and basic rights. In addition, fisheries-related decision 

 making processes must provide affected parties and the public with 

 access to pertinent information; and allow for consultation and 

 broad participation in policy meetings and decision making 

 processes. In this regard, most existing regional and national 

 regimes (eg, ICCAT) require substantial^ improvements in these 

 areas. Further, fishworkers and other NGOs must have an active 

 role in monitoring, data collection, compliance, and enforcement of 

 fisheries measures and full participation in environmental, social 

 and economic impact assessments of fisheries management, 

 development, investment and aid. 



E. WIDELY ACCEPTABLE CONVENTION ON LAW OF THE SEA 



13. The UNCLOS provides a basic legal framework for international 

 cooperation in relation to marine fisheries and other relevant 

 provisions (eg, dispute resolution mechanisms). This view was 

 underscored by governments during the Earth Summit in the agreed 

 Agenda 21 (17.49e) text calling for this Conference. Although the 

 Convention needs follow-on elaboration on issues such as those 

 facing this Conference, overall the benefits of UNCLOS far outweigh 

 the disadvantages. Accordingly, all governments should take steps, 

 expeditiously, to remove obstacles to widespread acceptance of the 

 LOS Convention as a framework for the protection and conservation 

 of the marine environment and its resources. With that objective in 

 mind, the ongoing informal consultations focused on the treaty's 

 seabed mining provisions should expeditiously be brought to 

 successful conclusion, giving added momentum to entry into force. 



F. CONSISTENCY 



14. "Consistency," .as advocated by coastal states, would oblige 

 distant water fishing states to adopt and carry out conservation 

 measures and fisheries operations comparable to measures adopted by 

 coastal states for those same stocks. It's a good principle, as 

 far as it goes, but it also needs to address coastal state 

 responsibilities. For straddling and highly migratory fish stocks, 

 a consistent conservation and management regime, must be applied 

 throughout the ranges of the stock to prevent overexploitation and 

 other adverse environmental effects. For this reason, any 

 elaboration of coastal state and distant water state rights in 

 relation to high seas fishing clearly needs to explicitly 

 recognize, and emphasize, responsibility for conservation of the 

 stocks and their habitat both on the high seas and within national 

 zones of jurisdiction. At the same time, such requirements should 

 welcome and encourage the adoption of stricter requirements, 

 nationally and regionally — given the likelihood that such 

 agreements are far better positioned to address conservation and 

 management issues effectively throughout stock ranges. 



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