GONL RESPONSE ON MARINE BIODIVERSITY BEYOND

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000304 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/OA - HAYES USUN FOR DONOVAN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHSA TPHY EFIS SENV TSPL NL SUBJECT: GONL RESPONSE ON MARINE BIODIVERSITY BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICITONS REF: STATE 020372 ¶1. GlobalOff delivered reftel talking points on marine biological diversity to Liesbeth Lijnzaad, Deputy Director of the MFA International Law Division. Lijnzaad expressed appreciation for being informed of the USG position prior to next week's ad hoc group meeting, but indicated that the GONL shares the EU's position that a new agreement or instrument is required to address marine biodiversity protection. ¶2. Specifically, the GONL hopes to reach agreement at next week's meeting that would lead to a new framework for conservation of marine biological diversity being developed by October or November. Lijnzaad indicated that the GONL feels that there is sufficient evidence that marine protected areas are needed to adequately protect marine biodiversity and that regional fishery management should be strengthened. She further said that the GONL is not focused on the issue of genetic resources. Lijnzaad let slip that internal EU debate in preparation for next week's meeting had highlighted a split between member states worried about their fishing industries and those more focused on environmental conservation. She did not indicate in which group the Netherlands fell, but our assumption is the latter. Blakeman