It is recommended the Fisheries Law (Draft Amendment) explicitly introduce “sustainable fishing” and review problematic imported products in due course

 

Introduction: China's Solution to the Challenges of Global Fisheries Sustainability


Author | Wang Haisi


Against the backdrop of serious challenges to global fishery resources, how to realize the sustainable use of fishery resources has become an important issue in the formulation of laws and policies of various countries. In recent years, China has made remarkable progress in promoting the rule of law in the fishery industry. However, with the complexity of the international fishery and the increasing demand for environmental protection, it is recommended that, as the "Fisheries Law (Draft Amendment)" is being revised and improved for comments,  this opportunity be taken to explicitly introduce the concept of “sustainable fishing” and to set up a corresponding legal framework for this purpose, so as to guarantee the sustainable utilization of fishery resources.

©Linda Wong | CBCGDF - “OceanWetlands”

Considering that China is a major global fishery country and an importer of many fishery products, it is particularly important to ensure the quality and sustainability of imported fishery products. The concept of “sustainable fishing” was introduced in order to legally establish the basic principle of fishery resources protection, which is particularly applicable when assessing the compliance of imported products with this principle. Sustainable fishing not only requires that full consideration be given to the restoration and protection of fishery resources during the fishing process, but also emphasizes the need to balance the relationship between economic benefits and ecological protection. The clarification of this concept through the law can provide a clear legal basis for China's imports of fishery products, and contribute to global sustainable fishery resource management and conservation.


In addition, the requirement of “sustainable fishing” for imported products will help promote the transformation of the global fishery industry from “high consumption and high risk” to “low consumption and sustainable development”, so that the long-term conservation and protection of fishery resources can be realized. This will help to realize the long-term protection and rational development of fishery resources.


Therefore, the author suggests that in the newly revised Fisheries Law, it should be clearly stipulated that China has the right to take sanction measures against fishery products imported into the international market that do not meet the standards of sustainable fishing.


Specifically, for fishery products from countries and regions identified as having problems, China can review and assess them in accordance with the revised Fisheries Law and require the countries concerned to take measures to solve the problems identified. This initiative will not only help maintain the sustainability of China's fishery resources, but also convey to the international community China's firm stance on the protection of fishery resources, and promote the adoption of sustainable fishing practices by more countries and regions globally, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable development of global fishery resources.


(This article is for readers' reference only and does not represent the views of the platform.)


Author | Wang Haisi

Editor | Samantha


————

Editor: Samantha

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

Contribution

Do you know? We rely on crowd-funding and donations. You have the opportunity to help an international movement to advance biodiversity conservation. Donate TODAY to power up the movement to make it a better world for all life.

Donation(501C3)Paypal: intl@wbag.org 

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2EYYJJZ8CGPLE


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 2024 World Water Forum Opens in Indonesia's Bali

Image
The 2024 World Water Forum (10th WWF) under the theme of "Water for Shared Prosperity" officially opened on Indonesia's island of Bali on Monday. This year ’ s theme emphasizes the need to work together to promote efficient and integrated water resources management to common prosperity. The 10th WWF ’ s six subthemes are: Water Security and Prosperity; Water for Humans and Nature; Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; Governance, Cooperation and Hydro-diplomacy; Sustainable Water Finance; and Knowledge and Innovation. This year, the Forum is expected to host 350 sessions, and receive 100,000 participants and visitors, 56 ministers, 12 heads of state, and about 2,000 journalists. The 10th World Water Forum focuses on four topics, namely water conservation, clean water and sanitation, food and energy security, and mitigation of natural disasters. The 10th WWF   is jointly organized by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the World Water Council. The Forum is th...
Read more

Bridging Borders for Wildlife: John E. Scanlon AO Recognized with China's Highest Honor - Chinese Government Friendship Award

Image
Congratulations to our dear friend and best teacher, John E. Scanlon AO, for honored the remarkable achievement - The Chinese Government Friendship Award!   On September 27, 2023, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs) held a prestigious ceremony in Beijing to present the Chinese Government Friendship Award. The Chinese Government Friendship Award is China's highest honor bestowed upon foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to the country's modernization and reform and opening-up efforts. John E. Scanlon AO, an esteemed ecological conservation and sustainable development expert hailing from Australia (UK), received this distinguished award. His unwavering commitment and significant contributions to global wildlife conservation efforts, along with his deep friendship with people of China, earned him the Chinese Government Friendship Award. John E. Scanlon has dedicated his life to the protection of a...
Read more

Unveiling the Mysteries of Cetaceans in the South China Sea: Chinese Scientists Describe Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs)

Image
The world’s ocean ecosystems are facing mounting threats—climate change, marine pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction due to human activities, to name a few. These pressures are particularly dangerous for marine mammals like cetaceans, whose survival hinges on healthy habitats and stable populations. Yet, in regions like the South China Sea, where biodiversity is exceptionally high, little research has been done to understand the needs and habitats of cetaceans. This lack of data has left a gap in our knowledge and made it challenging to establish targeted conservation strategies. Recognizing this, Chinese scientists have now set out to fill these gaps and contribute essential data to inform future policy and management, aiming to protect these vulnerable species and support the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). In a landmark study published on October 8, 2024, in Biological Conservation, Dr. Li Songhai and his team from the Institute of...
Read more