Cablegate: Gonl Response On Marine Biodiversity Beyond

VZCZCXRO2232
PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ
DE RUEHTC #0304 0410639
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 100639Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4785
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4067
RUEHAT/AMCONSUL AMSTERDAM 0349

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000304

SIPDIS

STATE FOR OES/OA - HAYES
USUN FOR DONOVAN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHSA TPHY EFIS SENV TSPL NL
SUBJECT: GONL RESPONSE ON MARINE BIODIVERSITY BEYOND
NATIONAL JURISDICITONS

REF: STATE 020372

1. GlobalOff delivered reftel talking points on marine
biological diversity to Liesbeth Lijnzaad, Deputy Director
of the MFA International Law Division. Lijnzaad expressed
appreciation for being informed of the USG position prior to
next week's ad hoc group meeting, but indicated that the
GONL shares the EU's position that a new agreement or
instrument is required to address marine biodiversity
protection.

2. Specifically, the GONL hopes to reach agreement at next
week's meeting that would lead to a new framework for
conservation of marine biological diversity being developed
by October or November. Lijnzaad indicated that the GONL
feels that there is sufficient evidence that marine
protected areas are needed to adequately protect marine
biodiversity and that regional fishery management should be
strengthened. She further said that the GONL is not focused
on the issue of genetic resources. Lijnzaad let slip that
internal EU debate in preparation for next week's meeting
had highlighted a split between member states worried about
their fishing industries and those more focused on
environmental conservation. She did not indicate in which
group the Netherlands fell, but our assumption is the
latter.

Blakeman

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