Unregulated transshipment of in-zone catches on the high seas contributes to increasing pressure on stocks within and beyond EEZs and to unreliability of data. The rapid expansion of driftnet fishing in the South Pacific in the late 1980s bears witness to the speed with which fishing operations on high seas can threaten regional fisheries resources. James Gosselin, International Legal Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed his support for the comments made by the representatives of Solomon Islands and the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency. He insisted on flag State responsibility, the recognition of the specificities of the South Pacific region and the special needs of developing nations. He called on appropriate restraints in the exercise of freedom to fish on the high seas.
States have a duty to cooperate in the management of the global commons.
He called for a collective response by the international community, inter alia to use the precautionary principle in specific circumstances. Muchtar Abdullah, Director-General of Fisheries, said that to ensure the sustainable yield of fisheries, they must endorse the principle of shared responsibility of the international community. It is primarily the responsibility of the flag States to ensure that their vessels comply with agreed conservation and management rules. Developing countries should receive technical assistance to meet their responsibilities and to enhance their ability to participate in utilizing fisheries resources on the high seas. Deputy Permanent Representative Ronald B. Allarey attributed the overexploitation of marine resources to the lack of specific obligations on States fishing on the high seas.