Big Beautiful Bloc vs Small Ugly Bloc: DISECâs Ocean Battle
by Shayne Phang from BBC News
UNEP â In a recent development, the council has effectively split into two opposing blocs as debates intensify over overfishing and unsustainable maritime practices. The United States leads their bloc titled the âBig Beautiful Bloc,â including Thailand, France, Egypt, and several other member states. On the other hand, the Russian Federation leads the âSmall Ugly Bloc,â which consists of China, Morocco, Switzerland, and additional member nations.Â
The Russian Federationâs Draft Resolution â currently undergoing amendments â addresses the exploitation of legal loopholes such as Flags of Convenience, resulting from lack of funding for local fisheries. The draft further stresses the lack of transparency and actionable data in fisheries management. To address this, it proposes the mandatory use of a vessel identification system built on digital transparency mechanisms to identify international and national fishing vessels. While it may be feasible, one lingering question remains: whether major fishing nations â China â would allow such oversight and transparency measures.Â
The draft also references the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), emphasising that member states must comply with its established rules and regulatory framework.Â
Meanwhile, the Delegation of the United States and their bloc introduced a different approach: DNA testing of seafood to trace origins of the fishes in order to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU). Although such measures have proven effective in previous instances, delegates acknowledged that implementation would require extensive financial support, likely from superpowers. As a result, the bloc has also proposed the ISIMP â International Seafood Importing Monitoring Programme â modelled after existing international standards. The United States is progressively working closely with their allies to refine clauses and strengthen sub-clauses in preparation for publishing a successful Draft Resolution.Â
For the time being, both blocs remain in modifying their Draft Resolutions through amendments. Whether the council will soon pass a unified resolution remains to be seen.
















