Published: 5th December 2011
In less than 30 years the commercial fishing industry has removed 90% of the fish in UK and European waters. A staggering 75% of fish stocks are now over exploited, with the other 25% following fast. The effect on marine ecosystems has been dramatic.
The huge advances in fishing technology, and the ever increasing efficiency of fishing gear and boats, means that we now have the ability to hunt commercial species of fish to extinction, something that a few short years ago was inconceivable. Our best estimates are that, unless reform takes place now, there will be no fish left in the seas by 2050.
We are seeing whole food chains collapsing and global changes in the stability of the oceans. In some parts of the world they now fish for jellyfish as this is the only thing left to catch. In the Southern Oceans they are now proposing catching Krill, tiny shrimp-like animals that are the basis of the whole Southern Ocean’s marine food chain, to be used as a source of protein for humans. Perhaps, then, it is time to change our ways?
This week saw the European Union announce its plans for a reformed Common European Fisheries Policy. It lists several new initiatives which all have merit; however, key to the policy is the intention to outlaw discards. This is the portion of a fisherman’s catch that is thrown over the side, usually dead. This by-catch comes about due to the indiscriminate nature of the fishing gear or the simple fact that the boat is not allowed to land that species of fish because it doesn’t have a quota for it. An estimated 50% of all fish and marine life caught in European waters is thrown back dead. This varies with the fishing method used; in some highly damaging bottom trawling fisheries this can be up to 90%.
The new fisheries policy wants all fish and marine life caught to be landed at port, whether the fishermen can sell it or not. This single move will make a huge difference to the conservation of fish stocks and, by association, the health of our seas. It will drive the fishing industry to develop highly selective fishing methods or to give up on wasteful ones.
So what is all the fuss about? Surely this has to be a good thing? The reality is that if all member states implement the policy equally then a large proportion of Europe’s fishing fleet will become uneconomical overnight and there will be huge job losses. Scotland has already estimated that 1,000 jobs will be lost in their fleet alone.
It is, indeed, deeply regrettable that jobs will be lost; however, how long would these jobs have survived after all of the fish had been caught in the next few years? If we want our children and their children to be able to enjoy our seas and oceans and to know what cod or haddock tastes like in 10, 20 or 30 years from now then we must act now. We commend the European Union for having the courage to make the difficult decisions to place the conservation of our natural resources above short term financial gain. The proposals to the Common European Fisheries Policy does not mean the end of commercial fishing; it does, however, herald the arrival of a vastly different, and no doubt smaller, fishing industry but hopefully one that is truly sustainable!
© 2011 National Marine Aquarium. All rights reserved. Website by Website Vision.