APEC Ministers move to protect, conserve oceans; focus on food security
APEC Oceans-related Ministers also discussed the impact of climate change on oceans at the October 11-12 meeting, which is being held under the theme "Healthy Oceans and Fisheries Management towards Food Security."
Highlighting concerns about climate change, Peru's Minister of Production, Jorge Villasante, said that the effects of global warming on ocean life are irreversible and put marine species at risk.
"There is no denying that the planet's oceans are in crisis due to climate change, destructive fishing practices, increased illegal fishing and over-fishing. These are major threats to the marine environment."
During the plenary session, Ministers held discussions with the aim of building consensus on the substance of the major issues, including how oceans can contribute to feeding under-nourished populations.
Minister Villasante went on to say that evaluating the oceans as a source of food for the important provision of proteins and vital nutrients is critical.
Delegates also called for urgent action to improve conservation of marine ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific region, saying 80% of the world's fish population is over-exploited. They recognized that diverse studies on the actual state of the marine environment and its resources show a continuous degradation of the ecosystem's health.
Other delegates highlighted the impact of the fisheries industry on the Asia-Pacific region in relation to the trade and investment challenges for the sector, including tariffs and the need for eco-certification and eco-labelling when exporting to some member economies, increased sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements, traceability, subsidies and overcapacity.
The impact of climate change on oceans was highlighted. Changes in the migration routes of fish as a result of climate change will have a significant impact on fisheries and other marine industries. Studies show large number of marine species could move from tropical seas towards cooler waters to avoid rising water temperatures caused by climate change.
Ministers recognized that trade plays an important role in strengthening food security and contributes to the satisfaction of the worldwide demand of nutrients.
APEC Ministers will convey the outcomes to the first APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security, which will be held on 16-17 October, in Niigata, Japan and to the attention of APEC Leaders at their meeting in November in Yokohama, Japan.