A Review of the 2004 General Assembly Discussions on the Law of the Sea

Abstract

The annual debate on "Oceans and the Law of the Sea" took place in the General Assembly on November 16 and 17, 2004. Many of the delegates who participated in the General Assembly's debate highlighted the importance of anniversary. Main themes included the need to tackle the problem of overfishing through two methods. The first is sustainable resource management and fighting against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, especially through the action of flag States of vessels engaged in fishing. The second is through an immediate moratorium on bottom trawl fishing in all high sea regions, as well as within the zones of national jurisdiction. The representative from the United States introduced the Draft Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries, stressing that the key element was to protect sensitive underwater features and vulnerable marine ecosystems from destructive fishing practices. This chapter gives summary presentation of the views stated during the debate. Keywords: general assembly discussions; Law of the sea; oceans; sustainable fisheries; United States