HISTORIC ACCORD WOULD PREVENT COMMERCIAL FISHING UNTIL SUSTAINABLE CATCH IS ENSURED
Officials from 10 Arctic and non-Arctic countries are close to agreement on a historic accord to protect fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean. At a meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland, in March, delegates settled many elements of the deal and expressed confidence that it will soon be finalized. Once completed, the legally binding agreement will prevent commercial fishing in 1.1 million square miles of international waters in the region until science-based fishery management measures are in place.