Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest • Volume 7 • Number 9 • 13th March 2003
US Bans Shrimp Imports Over Concerns For Turtles
On 6 March, the US State Department announced that it would bar some shrimp imports from Honduras and Venezuela, saying that their exports do not meet US requirements. US law requires countries to use sea turtle "excluder devices" to prevent turtles from drowning in shrimp trawls, or to use other turtle protection programmes or show that their fishing waters do not pose a risk to turtles. Shrimp harvested by "artisanal" and other methods may still be imported. The US said it hopes that the ban against shrimp imports from the two countries will only be temporary, and added that it might send teams to confirm that adequate measures have been taken to protect sea turtles. A WTO panel upheld a US ban on shrimp imports from a group of four Asian countries in 2001 (see BRIDGES Weekly, 23 October 2001).
The harmful effect of fishing on sea turtles made headlines when the leatherback sea turtle — one of the oldest and widest-ranging marine animals — was found to be under threat of extinction. Amongst other factors, these turtles are caught by gill nets and long-lines used for fishing tuna and swordfish. The leatherback turtles, which have existed for the last 100 million years, could become extinct within the next 10 to 20 years. In response to this threat, conservationists have begun to put pressure on the international fish markets through consumer information campaigns.
"Turtle hurtles towards extinction," GUARDIAN, 7 March 2003; "US raps Venezuela, Honduras for harming sea turtles," REUTERS, 10 March 2003.
UN AGENCIES RELEASE REPORT ON WORLD WATER CRISIS
In a report to be formally issued on World Water Day, 22 March, the World Water Assessment Programme addresses a global crisis in water availability. According to the report, entitled "Water for People, Water for Life", water consumption has almost doubled in the past 50 years. "Water resources will steadily decline because of population growth, pollution and expected climate change," the report predicts. Mismanagement of water resources lies at the heart of the problem. "Inertia at leadership level, and a world population not fully aware of the scale of the problem means we fail to take the needed timely corrective actions, " according to the World Water Assessment Programme, a consortium of 23 UN agencies, hosted by UNESCO. The report will be released at the 16-23 March Third World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan (see http://www.world.water-forum3.com/), a landmark event of the 2003 International Year of Freshwater.
"UN: World Water Crisis Due to Leadership Inertia," ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SERVICE, 5 March 2003.
POSITION VACANCY PROJECT MANAGER - INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURE AND TRADE POLICY TRADE INFORMATION PROJECT (IATP). The Geneva-based Trade Information Project (TIP) is looking to hire a Project Manager to liaise with Geneva based WTO missions and civil society groups around the world with the goal of facilitating advocacy on social and economic justice issues. The Project Manager’s tasks would include close monitoring of WTO debates, particularly in the areas of agriculture, services, and the so-called Singapore issues of investment, competition, and government procurement. The candidate should have at least 3-5 years of practical experience in trade, development and economic justice issues, excellent English skills and the ability to work in French/Spanish.
The deadline for applications is 28 March 2003. The Project Manager’s role will be carried out in close collaboration with the current Project Manger for the first few months. For further information, contact Shefali Sharma (ssharma@iatp.org) or Sophia Murphy (smurphy@iatp.org). Correspondence should be marked "TIP Project Manager" in the subject line.