Dear list-members (again!)

As I mentioned in my previous message, the UN Fish Stocks Agreement enters
into force today and this appears to me an appropriate starting point for
the OceanLaw discussion list. It hardly needs to be said that this is a
highly significant event for international fisheries and a major step
forward (even if long overdue). At the same time, however, there remains a
number of concerns, not least (for me) the continued non-participation of
certain States/entities - in particular Japan and the European Union.

Another interesting issue is the one raised by Andrew Serdy in an article in
"Int-Fish Bulletin". In this article, he argues that the agreement should
have entered into force some time ago, because of the ratifications of
Luxembourg and Italy (later withdrawn) and the United Kingdom (never
counted). This article is available freely at:
www.oceanlaw.net/bulletin/sample/focus/2001/22.htm. I am sure Andrew (who is
a list member) will not mind me encouraging everyone to read this article
and to share any views they have on this issue.

I am keen to encourage some discussion on the list, so please feel free to
share any views/comments you have on any of the issues raised in this
message. Also, in order to develop some sense of "community" it would be
interesting if you could provide a short sentence or two about your
background, so we have an idea of who we are communicating with.

Chris

______________________________________________

Chris Hedley LLB    E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Editor, OceanLaw    Tel: +44 707 432 3000
www.oceanlaw.net    Fax: +44 870 705 2343

Resources on OceanLaw:

Int-Fish Bulletin: new monthly current affairs journal on fisheries, marine
mammals and other marine life conservation

Internet Guide to International Fisheries Law: the web's leading resource
for marine living resource law, policy and management - more than 1000 pages
of information

OceanLaw Mailing List: a discussion list open to anyone with an interest in
marine living resource law and management and related law of the sea issues