Less talk, more action on global overfishing | WPN World People News

Ministers from some of the world’s largest fishing powers, including the EU, the US and Japan, gathered at a high-level international conference in Greece, reiterated commitments to reduce global fishing capacity and to ensure accurate information on fishing is readily available, including through the creation of a global record of vessels. However, Greenpeace warned that it is high time for governments to turn words into effective action to ensure a healthy future for fisheries and fishermen around the world.

Excessive fishing capacity drives overfishing and illegal fishing, displaces coastal communities, causing environmental harm and making fishing fleets economically unviable. The EU fishing fleet is able to catch two to three times more fish than is sustainable in most fisheries.

Greenpeace EU fisheries policy adviser Justine Maillot said: “For too long developing countries in Africa and elsewhere have borne the brunt of bloated EU fishing fleets. Major fishing powers like the EU should take the lead in this global effort to restore the health of our seas by managing the ability of the fleets to fish, in line with the state of fish stocks. In turn, developing countries must ensure that they develop their fishing capacity in a way that is sustainable, benefit their coastal communities and is based on low-impact gears and best available practices.”

Following the completion of a major EU fisheries reform in 2013, which strengthened rules on fleet management, EU governments should put in place effective measures to reduce the fishing capacity of their fleets without further delay.

EU countries should start by scrapping the largest and most destructive industrial fishing vessels, initiating a shift towards small-scale low-impact fishing, which is more environmentally sustainable, creates jobs and supports local communities.

Greenpeace International oceans policy adviser Sebastian Losada said: “We must reverse the current trend of overfishing around the world: better management of fishing capacity is critical and long overdue. Governments must ensure that excess fishing capacity is removed and not just dispatched to new fishing grounds.”

Source: Greenpeace EU Unit