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Sustainable
eNews |
December 2002 |
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IWMC
World Conservation Trust |
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Holiday Greetings
from IWMC
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It has been an eventful year for all of us in the
sustainable use community, and as we reflect upon 2002, we are reminded of
the importance of several concepts. The first is that we must continue our
insistence that management of our natural resources be based first in
science, because it is the biological reality of sustainable equilibrium or
the lack of it in our marine and terrestrial ecosystems  that shall impact
us all, forever. This concept has particular relevance today in the world's
fisheries, where solid and on-going scientific research is of crucial
importance to the health of the marine ecosystems in all our seas. We
applaud all those who have based their management programs in solid
scientific research.
A second concept is that of the sharing of information and a unity of
purpose in advocating international cooperation for the benefit of the
world's natural resources. The crucial impact of well-regulated and
transparent, legal fisheries, is becoming apparent to all who monitor the
world's marine resources. Long term management goals can only be met
through international honesty and cooperation in science, law enforcement,
and import regulations. Flag of convenience vessels must not be allowed to
ruin the fisheries in any ocean, and each responsible nation can support
sustainable use through stringent import regulations that prevent such FOC
vessels from bringing their illegal and unregulated catches to port. More
sophisticated and cooperative international law enforcement can benefit
resource conservation on land and sea alike.
A third concept is that of the respect of nations and non-governmental
organizations for those communities that depend on their local resources
for continuity of their cultures and traditions. We are a very culturally
diverse world, and we need to find ways to encourage nations to mutually
respect each other's needs and hopes. Respect for cultural diversity need
not be contrary to respect for a scientific basis for management.
IWMC applauds all those who have worked towards attainment of these
goals. National policy in each area - fisheries sustainability, elephant
management, sea turtle conservation, shark management, beluga conservation,
whale science and sustainable use, are all areas with which we have been
deeply concerned. Best wishes to all who have joined together in a truly
international effort to support sustainable use through cooperation in
science, law enforcement, cultural respect, and information sharing. We
look forward to continuing these efforts in 2003 and the years to come. May
the New Year bring all the best of good fortune to our colleagues, friends,
and supporters. 
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