A/RES/57/142 Concerned that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing threatens seriously to deplete populations of certain fish species and significantly damage marine ecosystems and that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing has a detrimental impact on sustainable fisheries, including the food security and the economies of many States, particularly developing States, and in that regard urging States and entities referred to in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“the Convention”) 9 and in article 1, paragraph 2 (b) of the Agreement to collaborate in efforts to address these types of fishing activities, Welcoming the adoption by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2001 of the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, 10 which focuses on the primary responsibility of the flag State and the use of all available jurisdiction in accordance with international law, including port State measures, coastal State measures, market-related measures and measures to ensure that nationals do not support or engage in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, Noting that the objective of the International Plan of Action is to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by providing all States with comprehensive, effective and transparent measures by which to act, including through appropriate regional fisheries management organizations in accordance with international law, Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General, 11 and emphasizing the useful role that the report plays in bringing together information relating to the sustainable development of the world’s marine living resources provided by States, relevant international organizations, regional and subregional fisheries organizations and non-governmental organizations, Noting with satisfaction that the incidence of reported large-scale pelagic driftnet fishing activities in most regions of the world’s oceans and seas has continued to be low, Concerned that the practice of large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing remains a threat to marine living resources, Expressing its continuing concern that efforts should be made to ensure that the implementation of resolution 46/215 in some parts of the world does not result in the transfer to other parts of the world of drift nets that contravene the resolution, Expressing concern at the significant level of by-catch, including of juvenile fish, and discards in several of the world’s fisheries, recognizing that the development and use of selective, environmentally safe and cost-effective fishing gear and techniques will be important for reducing or eliminating by-catch and discards, and calling attention to the impact this activity can have on efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks, including restoring some stocks to sustainable levels, _______________ 9 See The Law of the Sea: Official Texts of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 and of the Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 with Index and Excerpts from the Final Act of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.97.V.10). 10 See Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries, no. 9. 11 A/57/459. 3