NORWAY AGREES WITH SHARK PROTECTION, WORRIES ABOUT FINANCING

UNCLAS OSLO 000065 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV EFIS PHSA NO SUBJECT: NORWAY AGREES WITH SHARK PROTECTION, WORRIES ABOUT FINANCING MECHANISM REF: SECSTATE 010014 ¶1. (SBU) Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management Senior Advisor Oystein Storkensen told PolOff February 4 that Norway agrees in principle with U.S. efforts to control and protect shark resources per reftel. However, Storkensen noted that the new Memorandum of Understanding should include a clearly defined financing mechanism, to ensure that funds would be available for implementation. Noting that he was a member of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) standing committee, Storkensen said that he knew no trust funds would be available for implementation. He suggested that the legally-binding Agreement on Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) served as a good example to address financing concerns. He said he looked forward to a debate on financing during the February 8 CMS meeting, adding that it would be important to bear in mind the financial difficulties faced by many CMR members. ¶2. (SBU) Storkensen said the he disagreed with the MOU's points which opened debate on which species would included in the MOU, as a decision on including seven species had been taken during the 2008 CMS meeting in Rome. He said that new discussions could result in an increased number of shark species included in the MOU, possibly reducing the overall impact given the limited financing likely available. ¶3. (SBU) Storkensen mentioned that the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had made progress on addressing shark management, and does not believe CMR should duplicate the on-going FAO efforts. He concluded by noting that the MOU discussions should focus on developing good ideas that could then be brought into the FAO program. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED WHITE