UNITED NATIONS

Resolution A/49/116

UNAUTHORIZED FISHING IN ZONES OF NATIONAL JURISDICTION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE LIVING MARINE RESOURCES OF THE WORLD’S OCEANS AND SEAS

(19 December 1994)

The General Assembly,

Inviting all members of the international community, particularly those with fishing interests, to strengthen their cooperation in the conservation and management of living marine resources in accordance with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,¹

Recalling Agenda 21,² adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, in particular its chapter 17, concerning the sustainable development and conservation of the marine living resources of areas under national jurisdiction,

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¹ Official Records of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, vol. XVII (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.84.V.3), document A/CONF.62/122.

² Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3 - 14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (Vol. I and Vol. I/Corr.1, Vol. II, Vol. III and Vol. III/Corr.1)) (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), vol. I: Resolutions Adopted by the Conference, resolution 1, annex II.

Recalling also the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States,³ adopted by the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, in particular chapter IV, concerning the sustainable development and conservation of the coastal and marine resources of areas under national jurisdiction,

Noting that, in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development⁴ the international community recognized that the special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable, should be given special priority,

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³  Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Bridgetown, 26 April - 6 May 1994 (A/CONF.167/9 and Corr.1 and 2) (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and corrigenda), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II.

⁴  Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio do Janeiro, 3 -14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (Vol. I and Vol. I/Corr.1, Vol. II, Vol. III and Vol. III/Corr.1)) (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), vol. I: Resolutions Adopted by the Conference, resolution 1, annex I.

Expressing deep concern at the detrimental impact of unauthorized fishing in zones under national jurisdiction, where the overwhelming proportion of the global fish catch is harvested, on the sustainable development of the world’s fishery resources and on the food security and economies of many States, particularly the developing countries,

Reaffirming the rights and duties of coastal States to ensure proper conservation and management measures with respect to the living resources in zones under their national jurisdiction, in accordance with international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,

Taking note of recent discussions, at the international, regional and subregional levels, on fishery conservation and management measures, and on compliance with and enforcement thereof,

1. Calls upon States to take the responsibility, consistent with their obligations under international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,¹ to take measures to ensure that no fishing vessels entitled to fly their national flag fish in zones under the national jurisdiction of other States unless duly authorized by the competent authorities of the coastal State or States concerned; such authorized fishing operations should be carried out in accordance with the conditions set out in the authorization;

2. Calls upon development assistance organizations to make it a high priority to support efforts, including through financial and/or technical assistance by the developing coastal States, in particular the least developed countries and the small island developing States, to improve the monitoring and control of fishing activities, and the enforcement of fishing regulations;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all members of the international community, relevant intergovernmental organizations, the organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, regional and subregional fisheries bodies, and relevant non-governmental organizations;

4. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly, at its fiftieth session, a report on the steps taken and on problems encountered in the implementation of the present resolution, and thereafter as may be determined by the Assembly.