Promising Beginnings:

Third UN Conference on Law of the Sea 1973-82

UNCLOS III, for the first time, unites the Law of the Sea into one "written constitution". Under UNCLOS III, the traditional "Freedom of the Seas" remain for 60% of the ocean, but 42% of this, the deep sea beds area, is designated the common heritage of mankind, and will be controlled by an international Seabed Authority.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

Signed by over 80 countries since 1973, CITES prohibits international commercial trade in the rarest 600 or so species of animals and plants, and requires licences from the country of origin for exports of about another 200 groups. (Illicit trade continues to undermine the impact of the Convention.)

World Conservation Strategy

Launched in 1980, backed by IUCN,WWF, UNEP, FAO and UNESCO, and cross-checked by 400 scientists it presents a single, integrated approach to global problems. About 30 countries have translated the global strategy into national action.

The Regional Seas Programme

The Regional Seas Programme, launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1974, is promoting regional management of 11 regional seas.

The Barcelona Convention

In 1976, seventeen Mediterranean countries signed the Barcelona Convention for concerted action to clean up the Mediterranean. Under the convention mercury, cadmium and DDT are completely banned.

Biological Control

China's Big Sand Commune raises 220,000 ducks to control insect pests in fields of young rice. Ducklings consume about 200 insects per hour and cut the use of chemical insecticides from 770,000 kg in 1973 to 6,700 kg in 1975. Imported parasitic insects have saved the Florida citrus industry $35,000,000 a year in pesticides, following an outlay of $35,000.

The information in this file was taken from the compilation of data presented in GAIA: An Atlas of Planet Management, edited by Norman Myers, (London, Anchor Press, 1984)(New York: Doubleday 1987).
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