United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement
AGREEMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA OF 10 DECEMBER 1982 RELATING TO THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF STRADDLING FISH STOCKS AND HIGHLY MIGRATORY FISH STOCKS, 1995 The Agreement was adopted on 4 August 1995 by the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. For a copy of the Agreement text please refer to the following website on the United Nations Law of the Sea and its Implementing Agreements. The 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement is an elaboration of the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UN Convention) dealing with conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks. In particular the Agreement provides for the implementation of Articles 63 and 64 and as appropriate the sections of Part VII of the 1982 Convention. Straddling fish stocks are those that straddle the boundary of a State's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the high seas (some stocks straddle 'out' of an EEZ while others straddle 'into' an EEZ) while highly migratory fish stocks are those that generally roam over large distances and may be found in numerous EEZ jurisdictions and the high seas. Highly Migratory Species are defined by a listing in Annex 1 of the 1982 UN Convention. The Agreement can summarized as follows in that it: elaborates general principles concerning conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks; applies the concept of the precautionary approach to the conservation and management of these stocks; emphasises the special role of regional fisheries management organizations in the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks; elaborates upon the obligation of states to cooperate in the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks. This includes a duty upon States not to authorise vessels to fish for such fish stocks unless the State is party to, or co-operates with, any sub-regional or regional fisheries management organisation or arrangement established and which has competence to establish conservation and management measures for the stock concerned; elaborates upon the obligations of states with respect to vessels flying their flag on the high seas; introduces innovative enforcement provisions for the high seas, and introduces provisions with respect to the requirements of developing states. The 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement is binding only upon those States that are Party to it. The Agreement will enter into force upon the deposit of the thirtieth (30th) instrument of ratification or accession.   Prepared by Grant Bryden International Institutions and Liaison Service     Top		The Fish Stocks Agreement elaborates general principles concerning conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks Courtesy of NOAA   links United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Governance of Exclusive Economic Zones further information UN Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks UN Law of the Seas and its Implementing Agreements United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Status of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement