
Italy
Italy is a member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic
Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), giving it a voice in a forum charged with
protecting marine life in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. It's time
for the Italian government to speak up about the problem of pirate fishing
in the Southern Ocean.
Contact the Italian government today
Sample Letter
Lamberto Dini
Minister
Ministero degli Afari Esteri
Palazzo le Farnesina I
Foro Italico
Rome 00194
Italy
tel: 0039 06 36911
fax: 00396 3222850
Dear Sir:
I have recently learned that Italy is a member of the Commission for
the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). I am extremely
concerned about information, which points to uncontrolled pirate fishing
for toothfish in the waters of the Southern Ocean. Indeed, scientists
estimate that at the current rate of fishing, the fishery would collapse
within two years.
In addition, many thousands of vulnerable species of seabirds, such
as albatrosses and petrels, are dying on hooks intended to catch toothfish.
The entire Southern Ocean ecosystem is at risk.
As a member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic
Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), our government has both the opportunity
and responsibility to act on behalf of this fragile ecosystem. I urge
you to demand a moratorium on fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean,
backed by a trade ban, until the pirate fishing is eliminated. We should
oppose the resumption of fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean until
it can be demonstrated that the fishery can withstand the impact of commercial
fishing and that effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are in
place to prevent the return of pirate vessels.
Sincerely,
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