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The UWA Oceans Institute has been invited to add its support a proposal to introduce a fisheries policy for Commonwealth countries.

During the recent CHOGM meeting in Perth, senior OI staff discussed the proposed policy with Dr Nicholas Watts, the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council’s delegate to CHOGM.

The Council is a humanitarian organisation that aims to keep fisheries and marine governance on the agenda of Commonwealth countries.

It wants CHOGM leaders to establish and implement a Commonwealth policy on fisheries by 2015.

It says such a policy would enhance the sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries and fisherfolk communities in terms of their livelihoods, food and biodiversity.

The proposed policy is also expected to lead to enhanced regional fisheries governance, as well as regional cooperation between Commonwealth universities and research institutes.

While in Perth, Dr Watts met the Director of the Oceans Institute, Professor Carlos Duarte, and Winthrop Professor Gary Kendrick to discuss the proposed policy.

The CHEC says there is an urgent need for such a policy to support Commonwealth nations in meeting the challenges they face from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; from marine ecosystem deterioration; and from the effects of climate change such as sea level rise and ocean acidification.

The Commonwealth Human Ecology Council believes the Perth CHOGM gathering was an opportune time to push for change.

Climate issues and biodiversity, including fisheries, were discussed at the Perth CHOGM.

The Perth gathering is also the first of three consecutive CHOGMs to be held around the Indian Ocean, with Sri Lanka due to be the venue for the next gathering and Mauritius earmarked for the 2015 CHOGM.

Media references

Tony Malkovic (on behalf of UWA Oceans Institute)  (+61 4) 11 103 398

Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783