A/RES/58/14 building and training for the conservation, development of marine living resources, management and sustainable Recognizing the duty provided in the Convention, the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas (“the Compliance Agreement”), 6 the Agreement and the Code for flag States to exercise effective control over fishing vessels flying their flag and vessels flying their flag which provide support to such vessels, and to ensure that the activities of such vessels do not undermine the effectiveness of conservation and management measures taken in accordance with international law and adopted at the national, subregional, regional or global levels, Recognizing also the urgent need for action at all levels to ensure the longterm sustainable use and management of fisheries resources, Recognizing further the economic and cultural importance of sharks in many countries, the biological importance of sharks in the marine ecosystem, the vulnerability of some shark species to over-exploitation and the need for measures to promote the long-term sustainability of shark populations and fisheries, Reaffirming its support for the initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and relevant regional and subregional fisheries management organizations and arrangements on the conservation and management of sharks, while noting with concern that only a small number of countries have implemented the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks, adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization in 1999, Noting with satisfaction the outcomes of the second round of informal consultations of States parties to the Agreement, held in New York from 23 to 25 July 2003, Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General, 7 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, Expressing concern that the practice of large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing remains a threat to marine living resources, Emphasizing 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 reports of continued loss of seabirds, particularly albatrosses, as a result of incidental mortality from longline fishing operations, and the loss of other marine species, including sharks and fin-fish species, as a result of incidental mortality, and noting with satisfaction the imminent entry into force of _______________ 6 International Fisheries Instruments with Index (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.98.V.11), sect. II. 7 A/58/215. 3