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Japan to Suspend Drift-Net Fishing in ‘90-’91 Season

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<i> Associated Press</i>

Japan will stop drift-net fishing in the South Pacific this season, a year before the date set by a U.N. resolution, the Japanese Embassy said today.

The statement, forwarded from Tokyo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Japan will suspend drift-net fishing in the coming 1990-91 season.

Drift nets can sweep as much as 30 miles of ocean and have been criticized by conservationists for indiscriminately killing marine life. Australia has joined many other Pacific nations in calling for their use to be banned.

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The Japanese statement said the suspension of drift-net fishing operations will continue until appropriate conservation and management arrangements outlined by the United Nations are established for South Pacific albacore tuna fisheries.

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