The World Assembly, Acknowledging the intent of GA #725 "Regulation of Bycatch" to mitigate the harmful impact of bycatch on marine wildlife and consumers,
Recognizing that the resolution introduces several critical measures, including research mandates, bycatch regulations, labeling requirements, import restrictions, data transparency, and encouragement of bycatch-prevention research,
Concerned, however, that the implementation of GA #725 has revealed significant practical and logistical issues that undermine its effectiveness and efficiency:
1. Impractical Research Requirements:
The mandate for each member nation to perform comprehensive research on marine species and ecologies within and surrounding their jurisdictions is overly burdensome, especially for nations with limited resources or access to necessary scientific expertise. This requirement imposes disproportionate costs and administrative burdens without providing clear guidance or support for compliance.
2. Unfeasible Regulatory Measures:
Establishing and enforcing maximum allowable bycatch limits based on the mandated research is complex and costly. Smaller or less developed nations may struggle to meet these demands, potentially leading to inconsistent enforcement and compliance across the World Assembly, undermining the resolution’s effectiveness.
3. Complex Labeling Requirements:
The requirement for processed seafood packages to include projected bycatch information is impractical and difficult to standardize, leading to potential misinformation and consumer confusion. This clause imposes significant compliance costs on seafood producers and retailers without necessarily improving consumer knowledge or safety.
4. Disruptive Trade Prohibitions:
The prohibition on importing seafood from entities that do not comply with scientifically-informed bycatch limits is overly restrictive and could lead to significant economic disruptions. This measure risks creating trade barriers that disproportionately affect developing nations and smaller economies, potentially leading to unintended economic hardships.
5. Data Reporting and Transparency Challenges: The mandate for nations to release bycatch data to the World Assembly Science Program may not be feasible for all member states, especially those lacking robust data collection and reporting infrastructures. This could result in incomplete or inaccurate data being shared, undermining the resolution’s goals of transparency and informed policy-making.
6. Technological and Knowledge Gaps:
While encouraging research into bycatch-prevention technologies is commendable, the resolution does not provide adequate support or mechanisms for sharing these innovations effectively among member nations, especially those lacking the capacity to develop or implement such technologies independently.
Believing that a more balanced and practical approach is necessary to effectively address the issue of bycatch without imposing undue burdens on member states and knowing this resolution is easier said than done,
Hereby repeals GA #725"Regulation of Bycatch".
