14th June, 2004

Dear John,

I am so very sorry that I cannot be at Tower Bridge to welcome you and Marie Christine home after your epic voyage. But I did just want to congratulate you on the typically direct and personal way you have chosen to highlight the plight of the albatross.

Raising awareness of the plight of a group of birds that most people have never seen, and probably never will see, is a huge challenge. Yet the interest your voyage has sparked around the world is evidence that people really do care - once they know just how serious the situation has become.

I know you feel as strongly as I do that these magnificent birds cannot be allowed to slide quietly into extinction, and particularly not when the damage is both entirely man-made and easily preventable.

The most potent force driving the members of the albatross family into extinction is, of course, indiscriminate long-line fishing, which is estimated to kill 100,000 albatrosses every year. Fishermen operating in responsible and well-regulated fisheries have adopted measures that almost entirely eliminate the death of albatrosses from long-lining. Setting lines under water, or only at night, trailing a bird-scaring line and prohibiting offal discharge while fishing have all proved effective. Many fisheries also insist on the presence of observers on board to monitor results.

While you have been on your travels, an international agreement on the conservation of albatrosses and petrels (known as A.C.A.P.) came into force. This was a huge achievement because it is legally binding on the countries that ratify it. The UK played a leading role in drawing-up this key international treaty and was, together with countries including Australia and New Zealand, among the first to sign and ratify it. That, of course, is the good news, The bad news is that many countries with fishing interests in the southern oceans still need to ratify the A.C.A.P., and some of the most important appear unlikely to do so - for reasons which can only be guessed at.

At the same time, the problem of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing - which you specifically set out to highlight - appears to be getting worse. I don't know whether you will have encountered any of them during your voyage, but there are believed to be more than a thousand of these substantial pirate vessels, operating under 'flags of convenience', recognising no rules and with few exceptions - evading every sort of sanction and penalty available under international law.

What I find quite extraordinary is that when an International Plan of Action to tackle the problem of pirate fishing was being negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations, several countries made strenuous efforts to water down the draft provisions. In particular, the opportunity to take effective measures against the use of chartered vessels in illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries was missed. I just wonder how many of those countries claim to be committed to 'sustainable development'? When you visit the United Nations in Rome, I do hope you will suggest that they put increased pressure on the countries that are not willing to co-operate actively with the international efforts to stamp out pirate fishing...

I look forward with great interest to hearing about the voyage, and about the various discussions you have been having in the ports you have visited, but for now I hope you both have a wonderful and thoroughly well-deserved welcome in London, a successful visit to the United Nations and a safe trip back to Ardmore.