II. Coordinating Resource Conservation and Sustainable Use

China puts equal emphasis on the protection and development of fisheries resources, and takes key measures such as voluntary moratoria on the high seas. It continuously strengthens fisheries resource conservation and management of the ecosystem, and pays close attention to climate change and biodiversity conservation. It has achieved remarkable results in promoting long-term sustainable use of fisheries resources. 

1. Committing to long-term sustainable use of resources

Fisheries resources are renewable, and setting the allowable catch based on scientific assessment is therefore key to the sustainable use of these resources. China follows the path of green and sustainable development, balances conservation with exploitation of fisheries resources, and consistently advocates reasonable conservation and long-term sustainable use of resources on the basis of scientific assessment. China supports the fishing strategies set by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and other relevant RFMOs. It manages fisheries resources properly and controls total fishing capacity. It strictly abides by the fishing quota systems and resource recovery plans adopted by RFMOs such as the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, maintains the catches of relevant species within the quota, and supports the rational transfer of quotas and related fishing capacity.

Moratorium is a crucial tool for managing international fisheries and conserving resources. China began to implement voluntary moratoria on some high seas from 2020 onwards, with squid as the target species – this is an important measure to further strengthen the scientific conservation and sustainable use of high seas fisheries resources. This is in addition to the moratoria set by the regulations of RFMOs such as the seasonal moratorium measure for tuna purse seine in the West and Central Pacific Ocean. 

2. Strengthening the protection and management of bycatch species

China pays close attention to the sustainable development of bycatch species related to the target species, emphasizes the assessment and monitoring of bycatch species resources, and encourages and participates in information collection and scientific research. China effectively protects sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, seabirds and related marine mammals. It actively implements the FAO International Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks, and strictly abides by the conservation and management measures of RFMOs on sharks and other species. China has formulated and implemented the Action Plan of Sea Turtle Conservation (2019-2033), and has prepared an overall plan of sea turtle conservation and management at national level. China further strengthens conservation and management of marine mammals, requiring distant-water fishing vessels to strictly comply with the conservation and management measures of RFMOs, and to make sure safe release, data collection, information reporting, scientific research, and supervision and management of marine mammals and other bycatch species are well-conducted. China prohibits large-scale driftnet fishing on the high seas. It refuses to approve the construction of any new pair trawlers and large-scale lighting purse seiners with cod-end that have destructive effects on fisheries resources. It actively develops and puts into use eco-friendly fishing boats, fishing gears, and fishing technologies. It also offers more fishing gear options, promotes energy-saving attracting-fish lamp in squid jigging fishery and eco-friendly fishing gear and methods in tuna longline fisheries, and develops non-entanglement and biodegradable fish aggregation devices in tuna purse seine fishery. China carries out experiments to reduce the harm caused to seabirds and experiments on the safe release of marine mammals incidentally caught in Antarctic krill fishing, so as to protect bycatch species and rare and endangered species.

3. Focusing on climate change responses and biodiversity conservation

China attaches great importance to climate change responses and biodiversity conservation, and actively conducts research on the impact of climate change on the distribution, migration, and regeneration capacity of fish and other marine species. Research into the relations between climate change, fisheries resources, and the ecosystem and their management is also highly valued. In 2019, China supported the adoption of a climate change research proposal by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and supported the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission in adopting a proposal to focus on climate change in the management of tuna fisheries in 2022. Marine biodiversity is closely related to marine ecosystem protection and marine sustainable development. China successfully chaired the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was held in two phases, first in Kunming and then in Montreal. Thanks to its leadership efforts, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed at the meeting. China actively participates in the negotiation of agreements on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction and makes a significant contribution to global biodiversity conservation.

4. Stepping up resource conservation and international compliance efforts

In an effort to facilitate high-quality development, China implements policies to support both the conservation of fisheries resources and industrial restructuring in the new era. It promotes the high-quality development and modernization of its fisheries, creating a new dynamic for development. At the beginning of the 14th Five-year Plan period (2021-2025), China cancelled fuel subsidies for distant-water fishing vessels. It supports the construction of fisheries infrastructure and the green and circular development of the industry. It has worked to promote the research and conservation of fisheries resources and international compliance capabilities. China observes international conventions to protect international fisheries resources, and to research, monitor and evaluate fisheries resources. These efforts aim to promote the long-term sustainable use of fisheries resources and create a new dynamic for green and sustainable DWF development.

DWF enterprises and fishing vessels are the main entities that must comply with international conventions and operate in accordance with laws and regulations. In 2022, China formally implemented a compliance evaluation system for DWF enterprises. The performance of enterprises will directly influence administrative approval and policy support. Through a system of incentives and sanctions, China guides enterprises to continuously improve their management systems, strictly implement management measures, avoid violations, and effectively improve their performance. This system, which has attracted the attention of all sides, has effectively promoted the standardized management and international compliance capability of DWF enterprises, and won widespread recognition.