Iceland

Protection of the ocean is one of the most important tasks facing mankind today. It must be ensured that the harvesting of marine resources can continue and that the ocean can in the future serve its multi-faceted role, including that in the global ecosystem. Pollution and the conceivable impact of climate change must be prevented from threatening the marine biosphere. Overfishing, where it occurs, should be halted.

The vital interests of the Icelandic people are at stake. Few nations are more dependent on the marine biosphere. Fisheries and related activities are the foundation of the Icelandic economy, and 75% of all Iceland's merchandise exports are derived from marine products. Although there is still scope for improvement, Iceland has made a stand and adopted measures that have halted overfishing and reduced marine pollution. This has been achieved in harmony with industry, fishermen and the general public.

Although marine pollution is negligible in the fishing grounds of Iceland, many coastal regions of the world are under threat from growing pollution, which can be traced to population growth, and increasing production of hazardous substances. This represents one of the greatest threats to the marine biosphere, and it is important to insist on tougher international action against marine pollution. The international community must tackle the problems of radioactive materials and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which accumulate in the food chain and pose a long-term threat to human health, unless we act soon.

The global community is committed to apply the principles of sustainable development in the harvesting of natural resources, and thereby to pass them on to future generations in as good a condition as they are today. Iceland has implemented a system of fisheries management, which has enabled fishing companies to flourish without state grants and subsidies, at the same time as major fish stocks are in healthy state. Iceland has greatly stepped up its marine research, thereby fostering the knowledge that is the foundation of sustainable development.

It is urgent that nations with similar vital interests should strive for agreement, for example within their respective regional organisations, on sharing and sensibly managing common stocks and fishing on the high seas. To harvest living marine resources within own waters is the sovereign right of the coastal states' and it must be respected, since experience has shown that the husbandry of resources is best entrusted to nations which are economically dependent on them.

Certainly there are disturbing signs regarding overexploitation of stocks and marine pollution, but these must not lead to unsupported generalisations and scare-mongering. Problems need to be pointed out, but the most important task is to find solutions to them. Icelanders have taken important steps towards sustainable use of marine resources and it is appropriate during the Year of the Ocean to draw attention to the positive steps that have been taken and the lessons that may be derived from them.