U.N. Adopts Global Drift-Net Ban
The United Nations on Friday adopted a resolution banning drift-net fishing, calling for an end to the 30-mile-long “curtains of death” from waters worldwide starting in 1993.
The nets are invisible to sea life as they float from a cork line, scooping down as deep as 50 feet to trap and kill all marine life in their path, including whales, seals, dolphins, tuna and sea birds.
The General Assembly resolution has no provision for enforcement, but the three countries that opposed such a ban in the past--Japan, South Korea and Taiwan--agreed to abide by it. Adoption was by consensus.
“We will celebrate this over the Christmas season,” said Jerry Leape, a spokesman for Greenpeace International in Washington. “By definition, after Dec. 31, 1992, all vessels that continue to ply the seas with drift nets will be considered pirate vessels.”
Leape expressed concern about enforcement, however, saying that world will look to leadership from the United States and Canada in stopping drift-net ships.
Taiwan, which is not a U.N. member, and South Korea each has about 150 drift-net vessels.
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