U.S. SUBMISSION: SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON

UNCLAS STATE 043371 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS PHSA SUBJECT: U.S. SUBMISSION: SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON UNGA RESOLUTION 61/105 REF: KOEHLER/SIMONOFF EMAIL DATED 28 APRIL 2009 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (U) Background. In 2006 the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 61/105 that contained specific provisions to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems from significant adverse impacts of certain fishing practices. It was agreed that actions taken by States and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) to implement these provisions would be reviewed by the General Assembly in 2009 to consider further recommendations, where necessary. Resolution 61/105 also requested the Secretary-General to prepare, in cooperation with the FAO, a report to facilitate the review. In 2008 the General Assembly adopted reolution 63/112 that called upon States and RFMOs to submit informatin to the Secretary- Gerneral for this report. In February 2009 USUN received Diplomatic Note LOS/FISHERIES/STATE/2009 and forwarded it to the Department. That Diplomatic Note requested such information for inclusion in the Secretary-General's report by 30 April 2009. The Department and NOAA prepared the report, which has been sent to USUN via reftel email. End background. ¶3. (U) Action request (Attention: Mark Simonoff). Department requests USUN to submit the U.S. report on implementation of paragraphs 83-90 of UN General Assembly resolution 61/105 to the United Nations Secretariat (Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs),by 30 April 2009, under cover of a diplomatic note along the following lines: (Complimentary opening) and has the honor to refer to the Secretariat's note LOS/FISHERIES/STATES/2009, dated January 16, 2009, including its invitation to submit information on actions taken to give effect to paragraphs 83-90 of General Assembly Resolution 61/105. The Government of the United States of America presents the attached response to that invitation to submit such information. (Complimentary closing) ¶4. (U) Department appreciates Mission's assistance. Please direct any questions to Ms. Holly Koehler at koehlerhr@state.gov or 202-647-2335. CLINTON