[Draft] Regulating Marine Trawling

[Indusse]

Hello, this is my first proper GA Proposal. I would like to have some suggestions on how I can improve this and get it on the floor. Thanks

Regulating Marine Trawling (Environmental: Fishing)
The General Assembly,

Recognising the many negative impacts that marine trawling has on the environment and elsewhere, which can include (but are not limited to) damage to deep-sea habitats such as seabed and coral reefs, the destruction of environments where marine life may mate, and the potential for diplomatic conflict,

Further concerned that the act of marine trawling can lead to the capture of all sorts of marine organisms during fishing, including those which cannot legally be caught, and those that are at risk of extinction or endangered, yet

Aware that many people engage in trawling and commercial fishing for a living, and a complete ban could destroy the fishing industry as well as the economy of nations, and

Believing that this body should take firm and decisive action to reduce marine trawling, especially where member states are unwilling to do so themselves,

Hereby enacts as follows:

1. In this Resolution, "marine trawling" means the act of fishing which involves the pulling of nets attached to a watercraft to catch marine organisms.

2. Each member state shall prohibit marine trawling by all watercraft (regardless of country of origin) within their domestic waters, and by all watercraft registered with them within international waters.

3. Members must punish those who engage in that marine trawling prohibited by Article 2, such as by fining them or rescinding their fishing licences, but shall avoid imposing such punishments upon those persons who credibly demonstrate themselves to fish for subsistence.

4. Members are urged to raise awareness among fishers on the negative impacts of marine trawling, and on other, more sustainable methods of fishing (such as pole and line fishing or troll fishing).

Co-authored with Tinhampton.

Reduction of Marine Trawling (Environmental: Fishing)
The General Assembly,

Recognising the many negative impacts that marine trawling has on the environment, especially marine life,

Noting that such impacts can include, but are not limited to, damage to deep-sea habitats such as seabed and coral reefs, the destruction of environments where marine life may mate, and the potential for diplomatic conflict,

Further concerned that the act of marine trawling can lead to the capture of all sorts of marine organisms during fishing, including those which cannot legally be caught, and those that are at risk of extinction or endangered, and

Believing that this body should take firm and decisive action to reduce marine trawling, especially where member states are unwilling to do so themselves, hereby:

1. defines "marine trawling" as the act of fishing which involves pulling of nets through sea water attached behind a watercraft to catch different or a particular species of a marine organism;
2. requires each member state to prohibit marine trawling by all watercraft (regardless of country of origin) within their domestic waters, and by all watercraft registered with them within international waters, and
3. urges members to raise awareness among fishers on the negative impacts of marine trawling and alternative, more sustainable methods of fishing such as pole and line fishing or troll fishing.
4. Restricting or Punishing marine trawlers from trawling in the international waters and the local water bodies to ensure the safety of the marine ecosystem such as imposing fines and removal of fishing licences;

Aware of the fact that a lot of people uses trawling and commercial fishing for a living and a complete ban could destroy the fishing industry as well as the economy of nations;

1. small scale commercial fishing methods would be exempted from the resolution to support those people who use fishing to find a living.
2. Commercial fishing would be banned in those areas where Traditional fishing methods take place.
3. Traditional fisheries and Small scale commercial fisheries should register themselves with the concerned authorities in the nation to get exempted from the ban on trawling.

Co-authored with Tinhampton.

Reduction of Marine Trawling (Environmental: Fishing)
The General Assembly,

Recognising the many negative impacts that marine trawling has on the environment, especially marine life,

Noting that such impacts can include but are not limited to, damage to deep-sea habitats such as seabed and coral reefs, the destruction of environments where marine life may mate, and the potential for diplomatic conflict,

Further concerned that the act of marine trawling can lead to the capture of all sorts of marine organisms during fishing, including those which cannot legally be caught, and those that are at risk of extinction or endangered, and

Believing that this body should take firm and decisive action to reduce marine trawling, especially where member states are unwilling to do so themselves, hereby:

1. defines "marine trawling" as the act of fishing which involves pulling of nets through different levels of water hooked behind a watercraft to catch different or a particular species of a marine organism;
2. requires each member state to prohibit marine trawling by all watercraft (regardless of country of origin) within their domestic waters, and by all watercraft registered with them within international waters, and
3. urges members to raise awareness among fishers on the negative impacts of marine trawling and alternative, more sustainable methods of fishing such as pole and line fishing or troll fishing.
4. Restricting or Punishing marine trawlers from trawling in the international waters and the local water bodies to ensure the safety of the marine ecosystem such as imposing fines and removal of fishing licenses;

Co-authored with Tinhampton.

Reduction of Marine Trawling (Environmental: Fishing)
The General Assembly,

Recognising the many negative impacts that marine trawling has on the environment, especially marine life,

Noting that such impacts can include but are not limited to, damage to deep-sea habitats such as seabed and coral reefs, the destruction of environments where marine life may mate, and the potential for diplomatic conflict,

Further concerned that the act of marine trawling can lead to the capture of all sorts of marine organisms during fishing, including those which cannot legally be caught, and those that are at risk of extinction or endangered, and

Believing that this body should take firm and decisive action to reduce marine trawling, especially where member states are unwilling to do so themselves, hereby:

1. defines "marine trawling" as the act of fishing which involves pulling of nets through different levels of water hooked behind a watercraft to catch different or a particular species of a marine organism;
2. requires each member state to prohibit marine trawling by all boats (regardless of country of origin) within their domestic waters, and by all boats registered with them within international waters, and
3. urges members to raise awareness among fishers of the negative impacts of marine trawling and alternative, more sustainable methods of fishing such as pole and line fishing or troll fishing.

Co-authored with Tinhampton.

Reduction of Marine Trawling (Environmental: Fishing)

The General Assembly,

Recognising the many negative impacts that marine trawling has on the environment, especially marine life,

Noting that such impacts can include but are not limited to, damage to deep sea habitats such as seabed and coral reefs, the destruction of environments where marine life may mate, and huge geopolitical embarrassment,

Further concerned that the act of marine trawling can lead to the capture of all sorts of marine organisms during fishing, including those which cannot legally be caught, and those that are at risk of extinction or endangered, and

Believing that this body should take firm and decisive action to reduce marine trawling, especially where member states are unwilling to do so themselves, hereby:

1. defines Marine Trawling as the act of fishing which involves pulling of nets through different levels of water hooked behind a boat to catch different or a particular species of marine organism;
2. requires each member state to prohibit marine trawling by all boats regardless of country of origin, within their domestic waters, and by all boats registered with them within international waters, and
3. urges members to raise awareness among fishers of the negative impacts of marine trawling and alternative, more sustainable methods of fishing such as pole and line fishing or troll fishing.

Co-authored with Tinhampton.

Reduction of Marine Trawling (Environmental: Fishing)

The General Assembly,

Recognising the many negative impacts that marine trawling has on the environment, especially marine life,

Noting that such impacts can include but are not limited to, damage to deep sea habitats such as seabed and coral reefs, the destruction of environments where marine life may mate, and huge geopolitical embarrassment,

Further concerned that the act of marine trawling can lead to the capture of all sorts of marine organisms during fishing, including those which cannot legally be caught, and those that are at risk of extinction or endangered, and

Believing that this body should take firm and decisive action to reduce marine trawling, especially where member states are unwilling to do so themselves, hereby:

1. defines Marine Trawling as the act of fishing which indulges pulling of nets through different levels of water hooked behind a fishing boat to catch different or a particular species of marine organism;
2. requires each member state to prohibit marine trawling by all boats (regardless of country of origin), within their domestic waters, and by all boats registered with them within international waters, and
3. urges members to raise awareness among fishers of the negative impacts of marine trawling and alternative, more sustainable methods of fishing such as pole and line fishing or redesigning of trawl gears to avoid the destruction of habitat.

Co-authored with Tinhampton.

Reduction of Marine Trawling (Environmental: Fishing)

The General Assembly,

Recognising the many negative impacts that marine trawling has on the environment, especially marine life,

Noting that such impacts can include damage to deep sea habitats such as seabed and coral reefs, the destruction of environments where marine life may mate, and huge geopolitical embarrassment,

Further concerned that the act of marine trawling can lead to the capture of all sorts of marine organisms during fishing, including those which cannot legally be caught, and

Believing that this body should take firm and decisive action to reduce marine trawling, especially where member states are unwilling to do so themselves, hereby:

1. defines "marine trawling" as the use of nets to catch one or more species of marine life for the purposes of fishing,
2. requires each member state to prohibit marine trawling by all boats (regardless of flag) within their domestic waters, and by all boats registered with them within international waters, and
3. urges members to raise awareness among fishers of the negative impacts of marine trawling and alternative, more sustainable methods of fishing (such as pole and line fishing).

Co-authored with Tinhampton..

[Xanthorrhoea]

1. defines "marine trawling" as the use of nets to catch one or more species of marine life for the purposes of fishing,

As written this includes using a net to scoop a fish safely onto the boat so it doesn't drop off the end of your rod. This definition is unenforcibly broad, and needs to be narrowed to only apply to marine trawling. The proposal basically bans using nets in any way to fish, including traditional fishing practices, and, depending on how broadly you want to define a net, could also apply to things like foldable craypots etc.

I suggest you re-word your definition of marine trawling to mean 'marine trawling'.

[Outer Sparta]

1. defines "marine trawling" as the use of nets to catch one or more species of marine life for the purposes of fishing,

As written this includes using a net to scoop a fish safely onto the boat so it doesn't drop off the end of your rod. This definition is unenforcibly broad, and needs to be narrowed to only apply to marine trawling. The proposal basically bans using nets in any way to fish, including traditional fishing practices, and, depending on how broadly you want to define a net, could also apply to things like foldable craypots etc.

I suggest you re-word your definition of marine trawling to mean 'marine trawling'.

I would assume that the definition of "marine trawling" in this context deals with bottom trawling: https://usa.oceana.org/bottom-trawling

Adding onto that, I think specifying it as "bottom trawling" would be more specific and targets one of the most destructive forms of fishing.

[Bears Armed]

Approved in general principle, as long as the points about definitions already mentioned are sorted out satisfactorily... but be careful that you don't contradict G.A. Res. #199 'Sustainable Fishing Act' ( viewtopic.php?p=9653061#p9653061) or G.A. Res. #267 'Sensible Linits on Hunting' ( viewtopic.php?p=17266501#p17266501).

[Apatosaurus]

OOC: Hi Indusse, welcome to the GA :)

As written this includes using a net to scoop a fish safely onto the boat so it doesn't drop off the end of your rod. This definition is unenforcibly broad, and needs to be narrowed to only apply to marine trawling. The proposal basically bans using nets in any way to fish, including traditional fishing practices, and, depending on how broadly you want to define a net, could also apply to things like foldable craypots etc.

I suggest you re-word your definition of marine trawling to mean 'marine trawling'.

I would assume that the definition of "marine trawling" in this context deals with bottom trawling: https://usa.oceana.org/bottom-trawling

Adding onto that, I think specifying it as "bottom trawling" would be more specific and targets one of the most destructive forms of fishing.

"The Apatosaurusian Delegation agrees with the Outer Spartan Delegation.

Once this is fixed, we intend to fully support this"

[Indusse]

As written this includes using a net to scoop a fish safely onto the boat so it doesn't drop off the end of your rod. This definition is unenforcibly broad, and needs to be narrowed to only apply to marine trawling. The proposal basically bans using nets in any way to fish, including traditional fishing practices, and, depending on how broadly you want to define a net, could also apply to things like foldable craypots etc.

I suggest you re-word your definition of marine trawling to mean 'marine trawling'.

I would assume that the definition of "marine trawling" in this context deals with bottom trawling: https://usa.oceana.org/bottom-trawling

Adding onto that, I think specifying it as "bottom trawling" would be more specific and targets one of the most destructive forms of fishing.

I think we can reword it into "defines Marine Trawling as the act of fishing which indulges pulling of nets through the water hooked behind a fishing boat to catch different or a particular species of marine organism;

The reason I took up "Marine Trawling" instead of "Bottom Trawling" is that it is a more vast influence sphere. Marine Trawling also consists of Midwater Trawling, which isn't as severe as bottom Trawling but causes a lot of issues to the marine ecosystem. I do value your suggestion and if you feel that the above rewording is better then please do respond.

Bears Armed wrote:
-snip-

Thanks, will look through them. I believe that they don't contradict.

[Outer Sparta]

I would assume that the definition of "marine trawling" in this context deals with bottom trawling: https://usa.oceana.org/bottom-trawling

Adding onto that, I think specifying it as "bottom trawling" would be more specific and targets one of the most destructive forms of fishing.

I think we can reword it into "defines Marine Trawling as the act of fishing which indulges pulling of nets through the water hooked behind a fishing boat to catch different or a particular species of marine organism;

The reason I took up "Marine Trawling" instead of "Bottom Trawling" is that it is a more vast influence sphere. Marine Trawling also consists of Midwater Trawling, which isn't as severe as bottom Trawling but causes a lot of issues to the marine ecosystem. I do value your suggestion and if you feel that the above rewording is better then please do respond.

Bears Armed wrote:
-snip-

Thanks, will look through them. I believe that they don't contradict.

I would prefer a wording that incorporates both bottom and midwater trawling in your target scope, but bottom trawling catches my eye more due to its deeper environmental damage than other forms of trawling. Your proposed definition looks better to me compared to the previous one that just says "the use of nets."

[Barfleur]

"Barfleur supports this proposal in principle, though we do echo the sentiments of the other ambassadors regarding the overly broad nature of the term 'marine trawling.' We note that not all uses of nets to catch fish effect any sort of environmental degradation, and that the practices which should be banned are those which damage reefs and seabeds, rather than, say, pulling fish which are swimming near the surface of the water."

[Apatosaurus]

OOC: Ok, here is some feedback, besides what Outer Sparta and Xanthorrohea (if I spelt that right!) already pointed out.

The General Assembly, Shouldn't this be in bold, because the rest of the proposal is? Keep consistency.

Recognising the many negative impacts that marine trawling has on the environment, especially marine life,

Noting that such impacts can include insert "but are not limited to," here damage to deep sea habitats such as seabed and coral reefs, the destruction of environments where marine life may mate, and huge geopolitical embarrassment, "huge geopolitical embarrassment" is too informal wording for WA proposal, in my opinion.

Further concerned that the act of marine trawling can lead to the capture of all sorts of marine organisms during fishing, including those which cannot legally be caught, and those that are at risk of extinction or endangered, and (proposed addition)

Believing that this body should take firm and decisive action to reduce marine trawling, especially where member states are unwilling to do so themselves, hereby:

1. defines "marine trawling" as the use of nets to catch one or more species of marine life for the purposes of fishing, This definition needs a lot of work, your proposed reword is better but still could use some work.
2. requires each member state to prohibit marine trawling by all boats (regardless of flag) Is the "regardless of flag" part really necessary? This implies that it's referring to physical flags. Either axe it, or use something like ", regardless of country of origin,". within their domestic waters, and by all boats registered with them within international waters, and
3. urges members to raise awareness among fishers of the negative impacts of marine trawling and alternative, more sustainable methods of fishing (such as pole and line fishing). Surely you can impose an actual regulation besides a non-binding clause? It would need more detail than this, though.

Co-authored with Tinhampton.[/box]

[Indusse]

The draft has been updated.

[Xernon]

Hello Indusse! First, this is a concise, fairly well written draft. I think the topic holds a lot of potential. I commend you on both of those things!

Now with regards to the content, perhaps I am overly reading into it, but your third operative clause seems to conflict with the first. Specifically, you suggest the "redesigning of trawl gears" yet marine trawling will be prohibited altogether under the first operative clause. Just a suggestion, perhaps you want to shed light on what trawl gear is specifically damaging for the environment and focus the resolution on tackling that. It's totally up to you, but it's just something I noticed.

[Xanthorrhoea]

A couple of small nitpicks, I think you mean “involves” instead of “indulges” in clause 1.

Second, trawling is defined in clause 1 as using nets “hooked behind a fishing boat.” Clause 2 then prohibits trawling by all boats. By definition, trawling can only be done by a fishing boat, so banning it for all boats is a bit pointless. Any boat that isn’t primarily a fishing vessel is simply dragging nets, not trawling. Having said that, there’s no definition of what a fishing boat is in the proposal, and I’d probably argue that the act of trawling makes a boat a fishing boat. This does lead to a bit of circular logic though: a boat trawls, therefore it’s a fishing boat, therefore what it’s doing is trawling, therefore it’s a fishing boat…

This could potentially lead to a loophole where a boat doesn’t do any fishing-type activities other than dragging nets. Since it isn’t already defined as a fishing boat, what it’s doing isn’t technically “trawling” for the purposes of this proposal. (Unless dragging nets is still a fishing activity, which might make it a ‘fishing boat’ again?)

All of that is to say: drop the word ‘fishing’ from clause 1. It doesn’t change the rest of the proposal if you remove it and avoids some (potential?) circular reasoning. Any boat, regardless of what else it does should be forbidden from engaging in “pulling nets…[etc]”.

Otherwise, the definition is much tighter, and the proposal is brief and to the point

[Indusse]

but your third operative clause seems to conflict with the first.

You're right, I didn't notice the conflict there. I've removed the mention of Trawl Gear since even if we redesign them our motive isn't achieved.

This does lead to a bit of circular logic though: a boat trawls, therefore it’s a fishing boat, therefore what it’s doing is trawling, therefore it’s a fishing boat…

I have removed the mention of Fishing Boat in the clause. Still, a boat that trawls is a fishing boat because trawling is done only for fishing. Thanks for the Suggestions and it has indeed helped the draft.

The Draft has been Updated.

[Xernon]

Indusse, I think this was pointed out to you before by a different individual, but in your second preambulatory clause, you use the phrase "huge geopolitical embarrassment." This feels rather informal and non-specific. Perhaps clarify exactly what that embarrassment exactly is.

[Indusse]

The Wording was changed and I believe its more clear. Draft Updated

[Feyrisshire]

OOC: The title seems weird, it says "Reduction of Marine Trawling", but the resolution clearly calls for a ban of it in all boats, rather than reducing anything.

Second, is there an RL consensus on this issue or RL precedents on lots of countries that have banned marine trawling? Otherwise, if RL governments can't figure out if marine trawling is bad then we probably couldn't figure out in NS if it is bad or ecologically sustainable as well.

A quick glimpse on Wikipedia tells of regulations in countries that bans bottom trawling within a limit i.e 1000 m, 300 m, EEZ limits or percentages of EEZs so such regulations might be what you want if not a blanket ban.

Also, how do you define a "boat"? If bottom trawling is banned in boats, would it be allowed in ships and hovercrafts? Or would the "act of fishing pulling nets through different levels of water...." done behind a big ship or other vessel (i.e submarine or large hovercraft) not qualify as "marine trawling"?

[Indusse]

OOC: The title seems weird, it says "Reduction of Marine Trawling", but the resolution clearly calls for a ban of it in all boats, rather than reducing anything.

The Main aim was reduction, now it's banishment. Would fix that soon.

Second, is there an RL consensus on this issue or RL precedents on lots of countries that have banned marine trawling? Otherwise, if RL governments can't figure out if marine trawling is bad then we probably couldn't figure out in NS if it is bad or ecologically sustainable as well.

A quick glimpse on Wikipedia tells of regulations in countries that bans bottom trawling within a limit i.e 1000 m, 300 m, EEZ limits or percentages of EEZs so such regulations might be what you want if not a blanket ban.

Yeah, there is no nation in RL which has banned Trawling as a whole. But we can see governments temporary banning trawling according to the season, location and more.
eg: https://www.seashepherd.org.uk/news-and ... tates.html

Also, how do you define a "boat"? If bottom trawling is banned in boats, would it be allowed in ships and hovercrafts? Or would the "act of fishing pulling nets through different levels of water...." done behind a big ship or other vessel (i.e submarine or large hovercraft) not qualify as "marine trawling"?

A boat would be a transportation vessel used in water. Trawling is normally done only in Boats and Trawl Vessels. Trawl boats require a specific model for doing what they need to, so ships would've issues to trawl.

[Bears Armed]

It might be better to say "boats or ships" just in case.

[Indusse]

Changed the "boat" to "boats/ships" and also fixed the title

[Xanthorrhoea]

I would have suggested something like “watercraft” or maybe “vessels”, seems more broadly applicable

[Indusse]

Watercraft seems more apt, thanks for the suggestion. Changed them.

[Xernon]

Watercraft seems more apt, thanks for the suggestion. Changed them.

Just for consistency, could you also change it in the 2nd operative clause?

[Apatosaurus]

Reduction of Marine Trawling (Environmental: Fishing)
The General Assembly,

Recognising the many negative impacts that marine trawling has on the environment, especially marine life,

Noting that such impacts can include but are not limited to, damage to deep-sea habitats such as seabed and coral reefs, the destruction of environments where marine life may mate, and the potential for diplomatic conflict, I think you should change "diplomatic" to "international"? Just seems better wording in context.

Further concerned that the act of marine trawling can lead to the capture of all sorts of marine organisms during fishing, including those which cannot legally be caught, and those that are at risk of extinction or endangered, and

Believing that this body should take firm and decisive action to reduce marine trawling, especially where member states are unwilling to do so themselves, hereby:

1. defines "marine trawling" as the act of fishing which involves pulling of nets through different levels of water hooked behind a watercraft to catch different or a particular species of a marine organism;
2. requires each member state to prohibit marine trawling by all boats (regardless of country of origin) within their domestic waters, and by all boats registered with them within international waters, and
3. urges members to raise awareness among fishers of the negative impacts of marine trawling and alternative, more sustainable methods of fishing such as pole and line fishing or troll fishing. Surely you can make a binding regulation, instead of a non-binding "Urges"? It would need to be a lot more specific, however

[Indusse]

Draft has been updated

[Ainocra]

Alcon Enta leans forward and props on his cane. "This is a very well written draft, but we feel it would serve to completely destroy the fishing industry. I would not be opposed to a more targeted approach that takes into account some environmental concerns but we cannot support this as it is currently written." Pausing for a drink he continues. This as written would even prohibit the use of trawling to gather fish from hatcheries in order to release them either into stocks or back into the wild." Leaning back he sighs. "Again a well written idea but far too broad in reach and far too destructive to any economy that relies on commercial fishing to feed it's people."