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�International law, as reflected in the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.... sets forth rights and obligations of States.... upon which to pursue the protection and sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment and its resources.�
Agenda 21, Chapter 17, Section C
Sustainable Use and Conservation of Marine Living Resources of the High Seas
When Agenda 21 was introduced at the Rio Earth Summit the rights and obligations of States regarding the protection and sustainable development of the high seas was to be covered by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Over the next few years it became apparent that UNCLOS did little to resolve the major issues concerning highly migratory and straddling fish stocks (Weber and Fordham, 1997). At this time catches from the high seas represented approximately 5 % of total world landings. As the productivity of the high seas increased it became increasingly common for fishing fleets to come into conflict over fishing rights, developing �fish-wars�. Such as the UK vs. Spain(Falklands squid in 1994), Canada vs. Spain (Grand Banks turbot in 1995).
These issues were discussed at the international level and in 1995 an agreement was adopted for the provisions of UNCLOS to relate to the conservation of straddling fish stock and highly migratory species.
Productivity of high seas fisheries is now estimated to account for between 10-20% of all commercial marine landings (WWF/IUCN, 1998). The increasing value of this aquatic region is still contested between fleets and the conflicts continue (EU vs. Chile-South Pacific swordfish in 2000).
In order for the objectives of this section of Agenda 21 to be met, there are various improvements and arrangements that need to be made in relation to the following issues.
Conserving High Seas Marine Living Resources
It has been highlighted in the previous section that many valuable agreements relating to the conservation of marine living resources on the high seas are currently not in force. If Agenda 21 is to be successful in this respect, then it is essential that all agreements are ratified and brought into force as soon as possible. Closer monitoring of stocks and management schemes is also of paramount importance if marine living resources on the high seas are to be maintained at a sustainable level that supports human nutritional needs.
Tackling Discard Issues
The practice of discarding unwanted by-catch is not only wasteful as far as a useful potential protein source, but also because of the mortality induced on species that may or may not be required for future harvest. There are three possible measures that can be adopted in combating it. These come in the form of technical, administrative and economic measures. Whilst technical and administrative measure introduced have initiated a decline in discard levels, until there are realistic economic incentives for the fishing industry and the capacity to enforce them, by-catch will remain an issue in high seas fisheries. Further to this, in order to assess the magnitude of by-catch more accurately and therefore be able to manage it, unreliable data at the basic level has been identified as a key concern.
Improving Monitoring and Control
There is a great deal of effort and concern currently being placed upon illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. A recent meeting by the FAO � Committee On Fisheries (COFI) highlighted the need to step up measures combating IUU. A joint Ad hoc Working party between the FAO and IMO was set up in 1999 to address the issues and formulate an International Plan of Action on IUU. Some of the points raised at the meeting include:
The need for flag States to ensure a link between a fishing vessel and the appropriate authorisation to fish.
Consideration being given to how the IMO vessel numbering system may be applied to fishing vessels.
The possibility of controlling transhipment, transport of fish and re-supply of fishing vessels through Port State control.
The need to develop measures for Port State control, with particular reference to the management of fisheries.
Whilst these issues are being 
considered and tackled the prospect of better-managed and monitored high seas fisheries is not an unrealistic objective.
Improving Conservation of Endangered Species
The high seas are very remote relative to land and coastal habitats and as a result conserving endangered species that reside within them is not an easy task. Collecting data and observing rare species on the expanse of the high seas is very hit and miss and as a result poor data quality often means that the status of such species isn�t accurately know. In order to conserve endangered high seas marine species, it is essential that data collection and quality be improved (as with the Whale Shark) so that status evaluations are possible.
Improving Habitat Preservation
In order to improve marine high seas habitat preservation, it is essential that agreements such as the Habitats Directive and Natura 2000 develop more marine related guidelines in order that high seas habitats are not neglected. The high seas are very much �out of sight� and so are often �out of mind� when it comes to habitat protection. For this reason it is important that our awareness of such habitats continues to increase in order to promote their conservation.