OREANDA-NEWS. Due to the intensive utilisation of bio-resources in the world’s oceans, creating conditions to prevent their uncontrolled use is a priority goal.

The Arctic remains a region that is not regulated by international fishing agreements, as the ice conditions in the central part of the Arctic Ocean do not currently allow for any commercial fishing activity.

At the same time, due to climate change, conditions may emerge for the active utilisation of bio-resources in this water area.

Following talks between representatives of the relevant agencies of the Arctic states (Denmark, Canada, Norway, Russia and the US), a declaration on preventing unregulated commercial fishing in the high seas of the Arctic Ocean (hereinafter the Declaration) was drafted.

In accordance with the draft Declaration, the parties recognise that, based on available scientific information, commercial fishing in the high seas of the central Arctic Ocean is unlikely in the foreseeable future, so there is currently no need to establish an additional regional fishing organisation to regulate fishing in this area.

Nevertheless, taking into account the countries’ obligations to cooperate in the conservation and management of marine resources in the high seas, the parties intend to implement temporary measures to restrict unregulated commercial fishing in the high seas of the central Arctic Ocean, specifically:

- to permit commercial fishing only within the framework of regional or sub-regional organisations or fishing management agreements;

- to organise a joint research programme to study regional ecosystems and coordinate monitoring, supervision and oversight activities.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has been entrusted with signing the Declaration on behalf of the Government.