On November 22, 2019, within the margins of PGA’s 41st Annual Forum, PGA held the First International Parliamentary Oceans Assembly. Lawmakers from PGA’s global membership came together to discuss the Role of Parliamentarians in the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 on the Protection of the Ocean. The landmark event was kindly hosted by the Speaker of the Parliament of Cape Verde, in Praia.
The First International Parliamentary Oceans Assembly heard strong commitments from the attending parliamentarians, while the expert speakers reiterated the important role parliamentarians can play in protecting the ocean and securing livelihoods. Some highlights from the panelists below:
On illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing:
Parliamentarians sit in the nexus between the aspirations of the citizenry and the creation of the laws required to meet them, thereby giving you a key role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Down through all the tribulations of history, we the citizens have chosen you the parliamentarians of the world, to realize those human dignities through reasoned and equitable governance of our societies. […] It's a scandal, a scandal, that more States have not ratified the IMO Cape Town Agreement and FAO Port State Measures Agreement. When you as MPs go home, ask your government why have we not ratified? Amb. Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean
Amb. Peter Thomson
UN Special Envoy for the Ocean
The treaties on IUU fishing are consistent with our obligations to protect from human rights and labor abuses. As MPs, it is our obligation to advocate for these principles. Hon. Fikile Xasa, MP (South Africa)
Hon. Fikile Xasa
MP (South Africa)
The EU is working to address the legal loopholes enabling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. MPs need to highlight where there is policy dissonance on sustainable fisheries, health, and safety of fishers and harmful subsidies. We need a zero-tolerance on IUU fishing. It’s incumbent upon all MPs to learn about issues that affect all of us. Going forward, policy advisors and parliamentary staff need to be targeted and their awareness raised so the knowledge stays when parliamentarians are coming and going. Hon. Julie Ward, MEP (UK)
Hon. Julie Ward
MEP (UK)
It’s nice to go back to our countries and feel good we have discussed this issue but our civil servants need to be informed and trained so action is actually taken. Hon. Kasthuri Patto, MP (Malaysia)
Hon. Kasthuri Patto, MP
(Malaysia)
On small-scale fisheries (SSF):
MPs play a critical role in addressing small-scale fisheries by working directly with small scale fishing communities in developing laws and regulations that are sustainable and supportive. Ms. Heather Zichal, Executive Director of the Blue Prosperity Coalition
Ms. Heather Zichal
Executive Director of the Blue Prosperity Coalition
The Philippines has 7400 islands with a lot of fisheries, including small scale ones. The issue is more on cost: we need to get our fishermen out of poverty so what is the economic approach […] [and further mentioned on IUU fishing] I can certainly call the department of agriculture for a briefing on the Cape Town Agreement and other treaties. Hon. Rufus Rodriguez, MP (Philippines)
Hon. Rufus Rodriguez
MP (Philippines)
SDG14.b stresses that small-scale artisanal fishers should be provided with access to marine resources and markets. Governments and parliaments have a vital role in making this so. Small-scale fishers and fish workers face a myriad of challenges every day that hinder them from reaching their full potential. They need stable access to their fisheries and the other resources they depend on; their human rights must be met; and they should have a strong voice in decision-making that affects their lives and future. Parliamentarians should serve as facilitators of the process of consultative decision-making. An important area in which parliamentarians can lead the small-scale fisheries communities is that of climate-proofing the sector. Parliamentarians can be the leaders of adaptation measures in the coastal constituencies within which they reside and work, in order to ensure that these rights and requirements are being met. Amb. Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean
Amb. Peter Thomson
UN Special Envoy for the Ocean
Ocean law addresses fundamental human needs. Flags of convenience that enable pirate-fishing vessels to plough the ocean and lax protections that fail to avoid ocean pollution are the outcomes of political decisions translated into law and, as such, must be countered by political decisions also translated into law. This is why our partnership with PGA in this project is so fundamental. Dr. Xiao Recio-Blanco, Director of Oceans Program, Environmental Law Institute (ELI)
Dr. Xiao Recio-Blanco
Director of Oceans Program, Environmental Law Institute (ELI)
On the High Seas:
The lack of clear and serious public policies in my country has left us with two types of rivers: those that carry garbage to the Ocean, and those that dry out. I take with me the lessons learned here. I thank you all for sharing your experiences. The world needs leaders who, with their example, dare change reality. Hon. Jorge Calix, MP (Honduras)
Hon. Jorge Calix
MP (Honduras)
On good practices, “Our 2015 Law against single-use plastics greatly reduced marine plastics pollution.[…] Issues on the Ocean, like human and drug trafficking – these are all issues called upon us as decision makers and parliamentarians. Combatting plastic was a success. Hon. Mohamed Marzouk, MP (Morocco)
We are in support of a strong Treaty and its implementation. No law is good without implementation, and we as parliamentarians have a crucial responsibility here. A strong High Seas Treaty needs to include:
Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas,
MP (Nigeria)
a strong legal process for highly and fully protected MPAs
effective monitoring, compliance, and enforcement mechanisms
measures to ensure that environmental impact assessment procedures are transparent and accountable;
effective capacity building and transfer of marine technology; and
fair and equitable sharing of monetary and non-monetary benefits from marine genetic resources from ABNJ.
I promise to you today that as the Chair of the PGA National Group in Nigeria, I will ensure to talk about this with my fellow colleagues in parliament, and in the region.
Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, MP (Nigeria)
Fisheries and tourism are two main industries. High seas are key for our economy. We plan to ban certain plastics in the next few years. Hon. Rozaina Adam, MP (Maldives)
Hon. Rozaina Adam
MP (Maldives)
I am proud to see a full room of ‘Oceans Warriors’ Hon. Petra Bayr, MP (Austria), PGA Treasurer and Convenor of Oceans Campaign
Hon. Petra Bayr, MP (Austria)
PGA Treasurer and Convenor of Oceans Campaign
On behalf of Parliamentarians for Global Action, I would like to express our gratitude to Honorable Jorge Pedro Mauricio dos Santos, Speaker of the Parliament of Cape Verde. You have hosted the 41st Annual Forum of PGA, and we are very grateful. You have opened your parliament for us. You have shown us the highest level of hospitality, and this means a lot to us as we, during our annual session have discussed the important issue of fishing. We know that as an island, Cape Verde, fishing is very important for you and the people of Cape Verde. It’s really fantastic to have the possibility as well to host the First International Parliamentary Oceans Day here today. I must also say, my colleagues here – PGA member-parliamentarians – have had a fantastic debate that contributed to highlight the issues and importance of the work of PGA. Hon. Margareta Cederfelt, MP (Sweden), PGA President
Hon. Margareta Cederfelt
MP (Sweden), PGA President
More information on the event, including the list of participants, agenda, and Praia Plan of Action can be found here.