Number: 1992-02
WHEREAS, the serious problem of unregulated incidental catch of non-target fish, birds, marine mammals, and other forms of marine life by Asian nation large scale high seas driftnet fleets continues in the North and Central Pacific; and
WHEREAS, in 1990 the United Nations passed Resolution 44-255 which bans the use of large scale high seas driftnets by all nations by the end of 1992; and
WHEREAS, pressure from the U.S. Congress, the Bush Administration, the United Nations and worldwide condemnation from conservationists, has begun to yield positive results as Japan has reduced its high seas driftnet fishery and has promised to cease driftnetting by the end of 1992, and Taiwan and South Korea have entered into negotiations with the U.S. and other governments designed to set timetables for ending their high seas driftnet fisheries; and
WHEREAS there is a strong possibility that driftnet fishing nations may not abide by the U.N. resolution;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1992 in Portland, Oregon, urges the President of the United States and the United Nations to impose all available sanctions, including the barring of imports from those nations to U.S. markets as available to him under the Magnuson Act and under provisions of national and international law, at the end of 1992 if such high seas driftnet fishing is not totally eliminated.