Target: Russian and Norwegian Governments
Goal: Collaborate to protect arctic marine life
Climate change is causing permanent sea ice to melt and is allowing fishing trawlers to enter parts of the Arctic Ocean for the first time in human history. The United States is trying to persuade other arctic nations to place a moratorium on high seas fishing in the Arctic Ocean until a scientific study can be conducted to determine how to manage these fisheries. Of the five arctic nations, the United States, Canada, and Greenland have already agreed to the moratorium, but Norway and Russia have not. We must encourage the governments of Russia and Norway to join the rest of the arctic nations as they seek to protect arctic marine life.
According to international law, all coastal countries control the fisheries within 200 miles of their own coastlines. Areas that fall outside of these coastal zones, including arctic waters, can only be managed through international agreements. This is why it is important that Norway and Russia are persuaded to join the other arctic nations seeking a moratorium on fishing in the Arctic Ocean. After the five arctic nations have agreed to the moratorium, they can begin to persuade other countries with commercial fishing fleets, such as China and Japan, to join in protections for the Arctic Ocean.
Since no scientific studies have been carried out on fish populations in the Arctic Ocean, it is difficult to determine how to manage commercial fishing. Without a better understanding of the fish populations in the region, overfishing could easily occur. As a result, species such as seals, whales, and polar bears could also be put at risk. The currently proposed moratorium would put the brakes on commercial fishing until these studies can be conducted, and plans can be laid out for managing the fisheries.
The five arctic nations will soon meet to discuss the moratorium on arctic fishing. U.S. negotiators are somewhat confident that they can persuade Norway and Russia to join the agreement. Please sign this petition to encourage the governments of Norway and Russia to get on board with this important agreement to protect the Arctic Ocean.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg and Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Rapid climate change is causing permanent sea ice to melt and allowing fishing trawlers to enter parts of the Arctic Ocean for the first time in human history. Unchecked commercial fishing in arctic waters could have devastating consequences for marine life.
An agreement has been proposed that would put a moratorium on commercial fishing in the Arctic Ocean until a scientific study can be conducted to determine how to manage these fisheries. Of the five arctic nations, the United States, Canada, and Greenland have already agreed to the moratorium, but Norway and Russia have not. I urge your governments to join this important agreement to protect arctic marine life.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Alan Wilson via Wikimedia Commons
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