The Declaration is a landmark agreement for the Caribbean, and it is our hope that these initial efforts to conserve and manage this species will pave the way for future cooperation on other regional fishery resources. Both H. Res. 87 and ICRI are directed against the use of poisons, surfactants, and explosives on coral reefs. Of particular concern is cyanide fishing, which is becoming more widespread in response to growing worldwide demand for ornamental aquarium fish and the strong restaurant demand for live fish. The U.S. is the largest importer of exotic aquarium fish, accounting for almost half of the world's aquarium-fish business.
Cyanide fishing poses a serious threat to some of the world's most diverse coral reefs.
Cyanide pellets or solutions are spread over the reefs to stun target fish species. This process kills many of the desired fish as well as non-target fish and corals. I have led several major U.S. initiatives involving representatives from the aquarium and cyanide industries, international organizations, conservation groups and foreign governments in an effort to halt this destructive practice. While cyanide fishing by local or foreign vessels has been a long- standing practice in the Philippines and Indonesia, there has been some indication that the technique has spread to the waters of the Solomon Islands, the Maldives, and Papua New Guinea. In order to substantiate this information, the Department of State is actively seeking information from diplomatic posts around the world on the occurrence of cyanide fishing and other destructive fishing practices and host country efforts to eliminate them.