PRC FISHING ADVOCACY BY: RUBY ZHOU, YEON-JAE CHO, MEGAN TING

Introduction We are the PRC Fishing Advocacy group. China, with 1/5 of the world’s population accounts for 1/3 of global reported fish production and 2/3 of global aquaculture production. In 2003, the global fish consumption per capita was estimate`1d at 16.5kg, for China, it was 25.8kg. It is without a doubt that China is one of the largest fishing countries. It is of utmost importance for China to be able to sustain the fishing industry while keeping with customer consumption demands.

Definitions Sustainable: being able to be maintained for a long period of time Fisheries: a place where fish is reared for commercial purposes

Negative Effects Significant population drop in fishes leads to: Loss of food source Loss of source of employment Destruction to ecosystems and food chains

Importance of Fish Provides 200 million people with employment 15% of all global protein intake Primary source of protein for 950 million people Contains the vitamins, protein and minerals needed for healthy physical development and growth

Fishing Areas- The World and China The dark blue areas indicate Economic- Exclusive Zone (EEZ), an area which a certain state/country has the right to use for marine resources. - Dark Pink Area: China’s EEZ (877,019 km squared) - Pink Area: EEZ claimed by China, disputed with Taiwan - Pale Pink Area: EEZ claimed by China, disputed with other neighboring countries.

China’s Fish Management In 1999, China set a goal of ‘zero growth in coastal catching’, and changed it into ‘minus growth’ in In order to achieve this goal, the authorities have been reducing the numbers of vessels and relocating the workers out of fishing grounds. By the end of 2004, 8,000 vessels were taken away and more than 40,000 workers were moved.

Fishing Management Adopted - Hot Season Moratorium: In 2004, the Ministry of Agriculture of China issued the Regulation for Living Resources Conservation in Bohai bay, which states that from June 16 th to September 1 st, all fishing operations except gillnet with mesh size over 90mm are banned. This is because this term flourishes with most vessels and fishermen. - Input Controls: These are the major fishery management. This regulation states that the fisheries authorities have all the control, including limits for vessels and gear, and the fishing permits. - Output controls: These include the regulation of restricting the number of catching the undersized fish.

Relative UN Documents United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNICLOS) signed 1958 UNCLOS II signed 1960, Common Fisheries Policy signed 1970, National Aquaculture Development Act signed 1980, UNCLOS III signed1982 Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries signed 1995

Possible Solutions Lessen consumer demand for species in danger Banning harmful methods of fishing such as bottom- trawling Creating more marine protected areas to allow those areas to recover from over-fishing Impose stricter regulations to avoid fishing illegally and by-catches Advertise and promote a brand of fish obtained from a sustainable source and caught in an eco-friendly way

Aquaculture Aquaculture: the breeding and production of fish in a controlled environment for commercial purposes Benefits: sustainability, steady population of fish Negative Effects: disease transmission, improper disposal of waste, illegal killing of predators, alteration to fish species, disturbance to food chains

Aquaculture In China In 2005, China’s reported catch was 17.1 million tonnes of wild fish caught in lakes, rivers, and the sea. China has one-fifth of the world’s population and two-thirds of the world’s aquaculture production Aquaculture-producing regions are near the urban markets in the middle and low area of the Yangtze valley and the Zhu Jiang Delta.

Aquaculture in China 2004 Production of fish: Wild fish total of 19.9 million tonnes. Aquacultural fish total of 32.4 million tonnes (2005) Total 49.5 million tonnes (2005

Freshwater Aquaculture Pond culture is the most popular and important farming method in China. About percent of aquaculture is from the pond. 7 provinces: Guangdong, Jiangsu, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, Jiangxi and Shanghai are engaged in pond fishing activity. Where this is percent of the country’s total inland aquaculture production.

Freshwater cultured species In 2003 China produced a total of 17,782,734 tonnes of freshwater aquaculture products. The share of freshwater cultured species in aquaculture production is shown:

Aquaculture Production The graph below shows total aquaculture production in China over years according to FAO statistics:

Top Ten Species Grown in China, 2005 Below the chart show the top ten fishes grown in tonnes. China is increasingly breeding fish to solve the overfishing issue but as the tremendous numbers begin to increase there are negative effects such as disease, illegal waste, and a disruption to the fish food chain.

Human Resources The development of aquaculture begins to provide more employment: In 2003 the total amount of workers in the aquaculture business was estimated to be 4.3 million, as well as the 6 million workers who work part-time. Knowledge gained by the people involved in the aquaculture production is distributed from the government by “science and technology entering rural area program".

PRC Fishing Advocacy’s Stance The PRC is one of the largest consumers and producers of fish worldwide. It is extremely important for the PRC to achieve sustainable fisheries as soon as possible. Besides the degradation of fisheries, acidification of the ocean, rising sea temperatures and habitat loss are also affecting the marine environment. PRC Fishing Advocacy would like to create and promote a new line of sustainable fish that come from sustainable sources. Advertisement and promotion will be needed for this to achieve it’s potential. PRC Fishing Advocacy believes that consumers want to help preserve the marine environment and that this line will be successful.

Bibliography

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