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Biodiversity and Marine Natural Products

Research conducted in Trinidad and Tobago at the Institute of marine Affairs during the last several years has indicated the presence of chemically active compounds of potential harmaceutical benefit in locally occurring species of sponges, gorgonians and allied marine organisms. These compounds are being screened in North America for their anti-bacterial and fungicidal properties as well as their potential for use as anti-carcinogenic and anti-HIV agents. Similar work is being conducted in the Far East.

It would indeed be a tragic, if not irreparable loss, if these species were to be overlooked by Island States when considering their marine and coastal biodiversity. There are several issues worth addressing - species identification from among a checklist (if one exists), protection of the species habitats from pollution and other forms of degradation, and research and follow-up on intellectual property rights in order to preserve the national patrimony.

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Check the Island Resources Web Site at http://www.irf.org

Subsidies Killing Fisheries Resources

IUCN Studies Ec These two articles from Gary Gallon's newsletter pertain to issues important to the archipelago of San Andres,Providencia and Santa Catalina. How much of the fishing which occurs on the banks of the Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providencia and Santa Catalina is stimulated by host country subsidies? One of the questions which is vitally important to CORALINA's design for sustainable use of the marine resources of the archipelago is the VALUE of biodiversity for the region the IUCN may have a new resource to involve in this study.

BP:IRF

STOP HARMFUL FISHING SUBSIDIES

Subsidizing fishing may be good momentarily for certain regions. But in the long run, the subsidies harm the economy and deplete the fisheries. Canada found this out when its government subsidies resulted in the collapse of cod fisheries on the Atlantic Coast. Now the United States joined by Australia, Iceland, New Zealand and the Philippines, proposed a curb on fishing subsidies at an WTO environmental meeting in Geneva sponsored by the 134nation World Trade Organization. A recent World Bank study estimated government subsidies to promote fishing totaled $11 billion to $20 billion annually. Opponents say such subsidies distort trade by reducing fishing costs and placing downward pressure on world seafood prices at a time of growing shortages of some types of fish. "Fisheries stocks are in decline worldwide", said Terry Garcia, assistant commerce secretary for oceans and atmosphere. "Put simply, too many boats are chasing too few fish." Eliminating government subsidies would help reduce the problem of overfishing worldwide, he said. U.S. Source, "Seeks Fishing Subsidies Curb", by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer. Full story can be seen at website http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=255878674249a

ECONOMICS AND BIODIVERSITY WEBSITE ESTABLISHED BY IUCN

The IUCN The World Conservation Union, established its Economics Service Unit January 1998. It is responsible for an array of projects and activities on finance, incentives, trade, assessment and valuation. The Unit has created the Economics of Biodiversity Internet site. The website provides economics tools and approaches to enable IUCN and other environmental departments to use economics competently in promoting and implementing biodiversity and endangered species protection programs. If you are interested in investing in the work of the Economics Service Unit, please contact Frank Vorhies at fwv@.... For more information contact, IUCNThe World Conservation Union, 28 Rue Mauverney, CH1296 Gland, Switzerland, tel (41) 22 999 0001, fax (41) 22 999 0025, email economics@... website at <http://economics.iucn.org/>http://economics.iucn.org/