This year, rising awareness about the importance of the ocean for all life on Earth has translated into a renewed compromise to robust protective international and domestic legal frameworks. Concern and prompt action are justified: persisting global Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing poses a direct threat to marine ecosystems and involves the violation of fundamental human rights. In addition, small-scale fisheries (SSF), fishers, and fish workers lack the proper protection to ensure sustainable development and poverty eradication. Even conservation and sustainable use of the Maritime Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), including the High Seas, remain unaddressed.
As the democratically-elected representatives of the people, lawmakers have the voice, visibility, and legislative power to bring about change. For this reason, Parliamentarians for Global Action’s (PGA) Campaign for the Protection of the Oceans has set in motion a concerted effort to promote good “maritime” governance, which is already yielding concrete positive results.
Parliamentary Questions to Ensure Protection of the Ocean
Several United Nations Agencies have together created a sound framework to end IUU fishing and its related human rights abuses. Commonly referred to as the “Three Treaties”, these include the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA); the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention No. 188 (C188); and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Cape Town Agreement (CTA).
During 2019, parliamentary questions have been raised by PGA members to their relevant Ministries on the status of ratification and implementation of the Three Treaties.
PGA President Margareta Cederfelt, MP (Sweden):
#MPsForOceans
— Parliamentarians for Global Action (@PGAction) September 12, 2019
PGA's President @MCederfelt (Sweden) is making use of her prerogatives as a legislator to promote the ratification of the Cape Town Agreement #CTA.
We take action.
Our Campaign: https://t.co/0bEl0bEkjI https://t.co/AqmRrgsFpw
Chairman of PGA’s International Council Dip. Ito Bisonó (Dominican Republic):
#MPsForOceans
— Parliamentarians for Global Action (@PGAction) September 16, 2019
Chair of PGA's International Council Dip. @itobisono (#DominicanRepublic) inquired the Ministry of Agriculture on the status of ratification of @IMOHQ's #CapeTownAgreement, @ilo's #C188 and @FAO's #PSMA.
Our Campaign: https://t.co/0bEl0bEkjI pic.twitter.com/I1SkbrP91m
PGA Board Member Dip. Tucapel Jimenez (Chile):
#MPsForOceans
— Parliamentarians for Global Action (@PGAction) September 16, 2019
PGA's Board Member Dip. Tucapel Jimenez (#Chile) inquired the Ministries of Labor and Economy on the status of ratification of @IMOHQ's #CapeTownAgreement and @ilo's #C188.
Our Campaign: https://t.co/0bEl0bEkjI pic.twitter.com/SoZbYrf8Z5
PGA Board member and Deputy Speaker Hon. Levy Nazaré, MP (São Tomé & Príncipe):
#MPsForOceans
— Parliamentarians for Global Action (@PGAction) September 12, 2019
On 12 August, PGA Board member and Deputy Speaker Levy Nazare (#SãoTomé) addressed the plenary session and raised the issue of illegal fishing #IUUF and the importance of ratifying the Cape Town Agreement #CTA.
On our Campaign: https://t.co/0bEl0bEkjI pic.twitter.com/J2o1Wi7w3C
PGA Board Member Hon. Naveed Qamar, MP (Pakistan):
#MPsForOceans
— Parliamentarians for Global Action (@PGAction) October 11, 2019
Congratulations to Hon @naveedqamar for making use of his legislative prerogatives to advance the protection of the oceans in #Pakistan!
More about PGA's Ocean Campaign: https://t.co/GG4AHwvmJF https://t.co/zHtVU7NkNb
IMO’s Ministerial Conference: MPs Take the Floor
Of the Three Treaties, the CTA has yet to enter into force. Held on 21-23 October 2019 in Torremolinos, Málaga, the IMO Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and (IUU) Fishing focused on promoting its ratification. PGA was represented by its President Margareta Cederfelt, Board Member Hon. Levy Nazaré, and Chairwoman of CAR National Group Hon. Béatrice Epaye.
Nearly 50 States signed the Torremolinos Declaration as a public commitment to ensuring that the CTA will enter into force by the tenth anniversary of its adoption (11 October 2022). Among those were CAR and São Tomé & Príncipe, prompted by the actions of the PGA members. Three States deposited instruments of accession to the CTA, including São Tomé & Príncipe, to which PGA Board Member Hon. Levy Nazaré has been instrumental.
São Tomé and Príncipe deposited the instrument of accession to the #CapeTownAgreement!
— Parliamentarians for Global Action (@PGAction) October 21, 2019
Congratulations to PGA Board member Hon. Levy Nazare for being instrumental in this historical achievement.
We are #MPs4Oceans.
We are @PGAction. https://t.co/tCV9HrMGYZ
During the Conference, PGA members took the floor to bring attention to an important issue: the need to involve parliamentarians in the process of strengthening and modernizing the legal protection of the oceans.
- Margareta Cederfelt, MP (Sweden), Vice-President of theOSCE Parliamentary Assembly, President of PGA
Last month I have delivered a speech as Deputy Speaker in my Parliament, highlighting the importance of the Cape Town Agreement ratification for my country. (...) Based on our combined efforts, we were able to deposit the instrument of ratification yesterday. My question for you today is, are you thinking ahead? Ratification is great but, without implementation, it may be useless. Hon. Levy Nazaré, MP (São Tomé & Príncipe), Deputy Speaker, PGA Board Member
PGA’s 41st Annual Forum: First International Parliamentary Oceans Day
An important announcement was also made by PGA President Margareta Cederfelt at the IMO Conference: On 22 November 2019, the second day of its 41st Annual Forum in Praia, Cape Verde, PGA will be hosting the First International Parliamentary Oceans Day. Over 100 lawmakers from all over the world will join efforts to ratify the CTA, support sustainable SSF, and the adoption of a new treaty to protect the High Seas.
