We strongly endorse the Position Statement of this coalition to the UN General Assembly, to declare an immediate moratorium on high seas bottom trawling. The network of seamounts and hydrothermal vents stretching around the Pacific Rim are known to be teeming with fish and invertebrates supported by fragile & complex habitats, yet outside the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone there exists an unregulated and unmonitored deep sea bottom trawling fleet. The evidence linking healthy benthic habitat to healthy fish stocks is undeniable, as is the connection between habitat loss and bottom trawling.
Living Oceans Society is a marine conservation organization based in the fishing village of Sointula, British Columbia. We support the principles of ecosystem-based management, working towards healthy oceans and healthy coastal communities. Our Sustainable Fisheries research can be found on our web link.
