1998 Year of the Ocean A Survey of International Agreements 



dedicated to the protection and conservation of wetlands. Over 100 contracting parties, including 

 the United States, have committed themselves to the wise use of wetlands at over 700 sites that 

 are specifically recognized as important under the Convention. Wetlands support many important 

 plants and animals, migratory waterfowl, and provide water purification and flood control 

 services. Wetlands also play an important role in protecting shorelines and coastal waters from 

 pollutants. Under the Ramsar Convention, the definition of wetlands extends to a wide variety of 

 habitats, including rivers, lakes, coastal lagoons, mangroves, peatlands, and coral reefs. 



Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 



Washington, 1973 



The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 

 Flora, which was signed in 1973, restricts international trade in the large number of endangered 

 and threatened species. These species include all whales, dolphins and porpoises, sea turtles, 

 some seals (including walrus), marine otters, polar bears, and some fish species. The United 

 States is a party to this Convention. 



Follow-Up on Actions Taken at the 22nd Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries, 



Rome, March 17-20, 1997 



The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization was founded in October 1 945 

 with a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural 

 productivity, and to better the condition of rural populations. Since its inception, FAO has 

 worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved 

 nutrition, and the pursuit of food security — ^the access of all people at all times to the food they 

 need for an active and healthy life. FAO is active in land and water development, plant and 

 animal production, forestry, fisheries, economic and social policy, investment, nutrition, food 

 standards, and commodities and trade. It also plays a major role in dealing with food and 

 agricultural emergencies. As a long-term strategy for the conservafion and management of 

 natural resources, a specific priority of the FAO is encouraging sustainable agriculture and rural 

 development. It aims to meet the needs of both present and future generations through programs 

 that do not degrade the environment and are technically appropriate, economically viable, and 

 socially acceptable. 



The FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) will address fishing capacity issues, shark 

 conservation and management, and seabird bycatch avoidance at three technical consultations 

 early in 1998. Policy-makers from COFI member countries will meet in October 1998 to 

 recommend plans of action in each of the three areas. The plans of action are to be adopted at the 

 March 1999 COFI meeting. 



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