Month: May 2018

  • Baltic Sea still blighted by illegal discarding and overfishing

    Baltic Sea still blighted by illegal discarding and overfishing

    Our Fish

    Coalition Clean Baltic

    Baltic Sea still blighted by illegal discarding and overfishing

    One-half cut in quota for eastern Baltic cod proposed

    Western Baltic cod under safe biological limits and illegal discarding of undersize fish doubled

    Western spring spawning herring catch should be zero

    Up to 100% of undersized plaice being discarded

    Copenhagen, 31 May 2018:- Responding to reports on Baltic fish stocks published today by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), campaigners called on fisheries ministers to end the annual cycle of overfishing, by following the lowest advised fishing limits when setting quotas for 2019.

    “Due to years of poor management and continued overfishing, iconic fish stocks such as Baltic cod and western herring are in perilously bad shape, while illegal discarding continues unabated in the Baltic Sea”, said Our Fish Programme Director Rebecca Hubbard.

    “In 2017, governments knowingly perpetuated overfishing – and the resulting decline in social and economic values – by setting four out of ten Baltic fish stocks above scientific advice. This year, fisheries ministers must pay particular attention to the detail of the ICES reports – and act with extreme caution when setting 2019 quotas to ensure that fish populations can be rebuilt to healthy levels”.

    ICES advice provides the scientific basis for deliberations on Baltic Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits that are set at the annual EU Agrifish Council meeting each October. Despite their important role in applying the Common Fisheries Policy and ending overfishing, these Agrifish Council meetings have been criticised for their lack of transparency and accountability, and persistent failure to set fishing limits according to the law (CEO 2017; TI 2017; NEF 2017).

    Cod

    Catches of the eastern Baltic cod stock have been plummeting for 30 years. From an extraordinary peak at 400,000 tonnes in the 1984 to just under 57,000 tonnes in 1992, this year ICES advice recommends 16,685 tonnes – a drastic cut of one half from last year (ICESb 2018).

    ICES found that the western Baltic cod population remains extremely depleted, and below safe biological levels. A recent upward trend entirely reliant on just one strong year class of fish in 2016 – despite the fact that recruitment has been low for almost 20 years, and the 2016 year-class is bookended by two of the worst recruitment years on record (ICESa 2018). Recruitment numbers indicate how many fish are coming into the population, and therefore it’s chances of rebuilding in the future.

    “Baltic fisheries in general, and cod in particular, are fast approaching a situation when management decisions have no effect, since the stocks are not responding as would  normally be predicted by scientific models”, said Nils Höglund, fisheries policy officer at Coalition Clean Baltic.”For example, quotas for eastern Baltic cod have not limited fishing efforts for many years now. While fishermen have not come close to catch what they are allowed to — because the fish are too small or simply not there, the eastern Baltic cod stock also lacks  the scientific data required to make proper assessments. What fisheries Ministers have failed to do is ensure there is plenty of sprat for the cod to eat in relevant areas – and this should be tested with priority.”

    “Last year Baltic Sea Fisheries Ministers ignored scientific advice and set catch limits far above ICES advice. This year, we see the results – eastern Baltic cod catch advice has been slashed, and western cod stocks are perched on a knife edge and illegal discarding of juvenile fish has doubled”, said Our Fish’s Hubbard. “Fisheries Ministers need to note ICES strong warnings and set the TAC for Baltic cod at the lowest levels proposed for commercial and recreational fishers.”

    Herring

    According to ICES, the Baltic’s Western herring stocks have been outside of safe biological limits since 2008, with low recruitment since the mid-2000’s, reaching a record low in 2016 and 2017. Despite fishing pressure being far above sustainable levels (Maximum Sustainable Yield) between 1992 and 2009, coinciding with a crash in fish stock size, fishing pressure was not substantially decreased even after 2010 (ICESc, 2018).

    “In a damning indictment of poor fishery management, ICES recommends that catches for the Western spring spawning herring should be zero, due to continued overfishing. This sends a clear message to Baltic fisheries ministers that they cannot continue to ignore natures limits without repercussions. This year, fisheries ministers must end the decades of overfishing of western herring or risk commercial extinction of an ecologically important fish stock” said Hubbard.

    Plaice

    Despite ICES reporting the Plaice fishery to be in reasonably good health, with fishing pressure decreasing and stock populations increasing in recent years, illegal discarding is now considered to be widespread in the Baltic (ICESd, 2018).

    “Only seven tonnes of undersized plaice was landed in 2017, whereas researchers estimate the real figure is over 400 tonnes higher, with 100% of the catch still being discarded in some fleets. This constitutes not only a huge waste of marine resources, but illegal, unreported fishing. Baltic Sea member states – especially Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Poland – must start dealing with this IUU fishing in their fleets by significantly increasing monitoring and control at sea,” concluded Hubbard.

    ENDS

    NOTES:

    Western Baltic Cod: ICES (2018a), ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch, and effort, Baltic Sea Ecoregion. Published 31 May 2018. Cod.27.22-24

    ICES advises that when the EU multiannual plan (MAP) is applied, total catches in 2019 that correspond to the F ranges in the plan are between 9094 tonnes and 23992 tonnes. Depending on the management decision for recreational catches, assumed to be between 1754 tonnes and 3227 tonnes, the corresponding commercial catches are between 5867 tonnes and 22 238 tonnes.

    The positive perspective of the stock development in the forecast is mainly due to one strong year class (2016). Although the spawning-stock biomass has increased until 2018, it is still below Blim. Fishing mortality in 2017 was still considerably above FMSY. The 2016 year class is the only strong year class in more than ten years and the present advice is highly dependent on predicted development of this year class, which is not yet fully recruited to the fishery. Additionally, the 2015 and 2017 year classes are at historical low. There is a risk of growth overfishing because the 2016 year class fish have not yet reached their full growth potential. Therefore, to make use of the full growth potential of the 2016 year class, ICES suggests to use the FMSY lower value in the MAP when setting the TAC.

    Eastern Baltic Cod: ICES (2018b), ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch, and effort, Baltic Sea Ecoregion. Published 31 May 2018. cod.27.25-32

    ICES advises that when the precautionary approach is applied, catches in 2019 from the eastern Baltic cod stock should be no more than 16,685 tonnes. Landings of fish below the minimum conservation reference size (MCRS, 35 cm) are very low (179 t BMS reported in 2017) and discarding still takes place despite the fact that the landing obligation has been in place since 2015. The estimated discard amount 3 452 tonnes in 2017 (approximately 11%) based on observer data. The available information from the fisheries and observers suggests that illegal modifications of the selectivity properties of the gear takes place, leading to a higher proportion of smaller fish being caught.

    Western Baltic spring spawning Herring: ICES (2018c), ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch, and effort, Baltic Sea Ecoregion. Published 31 May 2018. her.27.20-24.

    ICES advises that when the MSY approach is applied, there should be zero catch in 2019. The SSB has been below Blim since 2006. Fishing mortality (F) has been relatively constant at levels above FMSY since 2010. Recruitment has been low since the mid-2000 and has been declining in recent years, with the lowest values of the time series in 2016 and 2017.

    Sprat: ICES (2018), ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch, and effort, Baltic Sea Ecoregion. Published 31 May 2018. spr.27.22-32

    ICES advises that a spatial management plan is considered for the fisheries that catch sprat. Relocating the sprat fishery has long been suggested by ICES to improve availability of feed for cod in the Baltic proper area (25-26) and it is repeated again this year. This would also help the sprat and herring in more northern areas of the Baltic Sea to grow to their full potential and also likely result in less M74 in Baltic salmon, whose diet at present is comprised of too much sprat causing an increase of the problem.

    Plaice: ICES (2018d), ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch, and effort, Baltic Sea Ecoregion. Published 31 May 2018. Ple.27.24-32

    Since 2017 a landing obligation is in place and discarding is illegal. About 7 tonnes (0.8% of the total catch) of BMS plaice were recorded by the Member States. Based on observer data 38% of the catch was discarded in 2017. This indicates that the landing obligation is not enforced for this stock. The discarded fraction can cover all length classes and comprise as much as 100% of the catch.

    See Also:

    Our Fish report: Thrown Away: How Illegal Discarding in the Baltic Sea is Failing EU Fisheries and Citizens

    CEO, Corporate Europe Observatory (2017). Fishing for influence, May 24th 2017. Viewed at:: https://corporateeurope.org/power-lobbies/2017/05/fishing-influence

    TI, Transparency International (2016), Overfishing in the Darkness: A case study in Council decision-making. Viewed at: http://transparency.eu/project/overfishing-in-the-darkness/

    NEF, New Economics Foundation (Dec 2017)., Landing the Blame – Overfishing in the Baltic 2018. Viewed at: http://neweconomics.org/2017/12/landing-the-blame-baltic-2018/

    October 10, 2017: EU Fisheries Ministers’ All Night Debate Leads To Continued Baltic Overfishing of Cod (Our Fish)

    “After hours of deliberations that continued until after 6am, EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council ministers agreed to set Total Allowable Catches (TAC) for western Baltic cod at 5,597 tonnes, four times higher than the most cautious scientific advice, despite the stock being critically overfished [3]. Eastern Baltic cod was set at 28,388 tonnes, almost four thousand tonnes higher than scientific advice.”

    Contacts

    Dave Walsh, Our Fish Communications Advisor, dave@our.fish +34 691826764

    Rebecca Hubbard, Our Fish Program Director, rebecca@our.fish +34 657669425

     

    Nils Hoglund, Coalition Clean Baltic Fisheries Policy Officer, nils@ccb.se +46 708679249

     

  • Our Fish Responds to EU Control Regulation Review May 2018

    Our Fish Responds to EU Control Regulation Review May 2018

    Control regulation review May 2018 
    Brussels, 30 May 2018:-  The EU Commission today released their proposal for a revised Fisheries Control Regulation. Our Fish and civil society groups are disappointed that the review of such an important regulation was subject to a rushed process, which did not provide for full and comprehensive stakeholder consultation, and thereby limited the scope of its ambition.
    “We welcome the proposal by the European Commision to introduce remote electronic monitoring (REM) to ensure effective enforcement of the landing obligation, however we would like to see it more clearly specify that all vessels with a higher risk of illegal discarding are obliged to use remote electronic monitoring. This would ensure the enormous environmental benefits promised by the ban on discards are secured, and ensure a level playing field across all EU member states and fleets,” said Our Fish Programme Director Rebecca Hubbard.
    The EU introduced the landing obligation in 2013 to tackle its high level of fish discards – an estimated 1,7 million tonnes of fish every year, corresponding to 23% of all catches in 2011. It requires fishermen to land all catches  and will come fully into force in all EU fisheries by 2019, however to-date, compliance with the new law is understood to be extremely low. Experts believe Remote Electronic Monitoring (such as CCTV) is the most cost-effective monitoring tool, due to the ability to record video images of fishing activities on a vessel at the exact location of the vessel. 
    “The Commission’s proposal also lacks ambition on improving transparency in registration of sanctions for illegal fisheries. Information on the extent to which EU member states fine illegal fisheries is still held behind closed doors, which is particularly disappointing because  without transparency, effective implementation of fisheries law is extremely difficult”, concluded Hubbard. 
    The forthcoming discussion with the European Parliament and the EU AGRIFISH Council will be key to ensure the revised regulation delivers a more effective fisheries control system on all aspects.
    END
    Contacts
    Dave Walsh, Our Fish Communications Advisor, dave@our.fish +34 691826764
    Rebecca Hubbard, Our Fish Program Director, rebecca@our.fish +34 657669425
    About Our Fish
    Our Fish works to ensure European member states implement the Common Fisheries Policy and achieve sustainable fish stocks in European waters.
    Our Fish works with organisations and individuals across Europe to deliver a powerful and unwavering message: overfishing must be stopped, and solutions put in place that ensure Europe’s waters are fished sustainably. Our Fish demands that the Common Fisheries Policy be properly enforced, and Europe’s fisheries effectively governed.
     
    Our Fish calls on all EU Member States to set annual fishing limits at sustainable limits based on scientific advice, and to ensure that their fishing fleets prove that they are fishing sustainably, through monitoring and full documentation of their catch.
    Follow Our Fish on Twitter: @our_fish
  • Global Ocean Leaders Urge Commissioner Vella To End EU Overfishing

    Global Ocean Leaders Urge Commissioner Vella To End EU Overfishing

    Brussels, 23 May 2018:- Nine global ocean conservation leaders have urged the European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, to use his “power, position, and responsibility” to end destructive and wasteful EU overfishing, ahead of the 2020 Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) deadline, and before his mandate expires in 2019.

    UPDATE 20 June 2018: Response to this letter from EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella

    In a letter received by  Commissioner Vella on May 22, the nine ocean advocates expressed support for the Commissioner in his efforts to end overfishing in European waters, while acknowledging the challenges in overcoming the current status quo – where many stocks continue to be fished above scientific advice.

    The letter’s signatories warn that the EU’s reputation as a global fisheries leader on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) has generated an expectation that the EU will get its own house in order – and that correspondingly, failure to end EU overfishing will undermine the success of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.

    “We strongly encourage you to seize the opportunity of the coming months to finally bring the destructive and wasteful act of EU overfishing to an end, in keeping with the CFP deadline”, reads the letter, signed by Kristian Parker of the Oak Foundation, Jane Lubchenco of Oregon State University, Rashid Sumaila of UBC Institute for the Oceans & Fisheries, Torsten Thiele of the Global Ocean Trust, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson of Ocean Collectiv, Pascal Lamy of the Jacques Delors Institute, Enric Sala of the National Geographic Society, Kristina Gjerde of the IUCN Global Marine & Polar Program and photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

    “However, battling both the short-term interests and the lack of political will across several member states has delayed ending overfishing of EU stocks. Where science-based fishing limits have been set, healthier fish stocks have flourished, underscoring the power of reform. However, a recent analysis showed that in December 2017, contrary to the goals of the reform, 57 EU fishing limits were set above scientific levels. This unfortunate trend has resulted in only modest year-to-year improvements and – of grave concern to those who care deeply about fisheries – it risks failing to achieve the CFP’s goals by 2015 or 2020”, continues the letter.

    “With the 2020 CFP deadline to end overfishing coming up fast, EU fisheries ministers are sailing perilously close to the wind”, said Our Fish Programme Director Rebecca Hubbard. “Instead of safely reaching sustainable 2020 destination, the EU is in danger of floundering far from shore, thanks to myopic, short-term decision-making that favours the demands of big fishing industry players, over the long term health of fisheries. Commissioner Vella has taken the lead on setting a course towards sustainable EU fisheries, now fisheries ministers must join him in ending Europe’s addiction to overfishing.”

    In 2017, an update of the World Bank’s Sunken Billions report estimated that better

    management of global fisheries would unlock $83 (€70) billion in additional revenues worldwide. In the EU, millions of tonnes of fish have been discarded at sea [1], and over 40% of Atlantic fish stocks and over 90% of Mediterranean stocks are now overfished [2]. Researchers estimate that by ending overfishing, the EU could increase the amount of fish caught by up to 2 million tonnes per year, which could deliver an increase in net profits in the fishing and processing sectors by €965 million/year and an extra 92,000 jobs [3].

    The letter’s authors state that “we stand ready to support faithful implementation of the CFP, for the sake of coastal communities, the ocean and future generations whose economies, livelihoods, culture and food security depend on our generation’s actions”.

    The letter can be downloaded from the Our Fish website here.

    Notes:

    • EU member state ministers with responsibility for fisheries will decide on fishing limits four times in the course of the autumn:
    1. In October 2018 for Baltic Sea fish stocks;
    2. In November 2018 for Deep Sea fish stocks;
    3. In November 2018 for a number of shared fish stocks with Norway; and
    4. In December 2018 for Atlantic and the North Sea
    • Deep Sea fishing limits are set every second year, so this year’s agreement will be the last before the Common Fisheries Policy target of reaching sustainable fishing limits by 2020 is reached.
    • The ban on discards (Landing Obligation) is of particular importance in 2018, as January 2019 signifies when it should be fully phased in. Key decisions on improving monitoring and control to address widespread non-compliance include:
      • Updating of Specific Control Inspection Programs for the Baltic, North Sea, Western Waters and Mediterranean regions, by the Commission and EU member states, voting in September 2018;
      • Review of the Control Regulation, proposal from Commission end of May, followed by a trilogue process.

    [1] Based on figures from: European Commission, (2011). COMMISSION STAFF WORKING PAPER IMPACT ASSESSMENT Accompanying the document Commission proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Fisheries Policy [repealing Regulation (EC) N° 2371/2002]. Viewed at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/sec/2011/0891/COM_SEC(2011)0891_EN.pdf

    [2] Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) – Monitoring the performance of the Common Fisheries Policy (STECF-Adhoc-18-01). Viewed at: https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/43805/2092142/STECF+18-01+adhoc+-+CFP+Monitoring+2018.pdf

    [3] Oceana (2017), Healthy Oceans Are Good For Business. Viewed at: http://eu.oceana.org/en/publications/reports/healthy-fisheries-are-good-business

    Contacts

    Dave Walsh, Our Fish Communications Advisor, dave@our.fish +34 691826764

    Rebecca Hubbard, Our Fish Program Director, rebecca@our.fish +34 657669425

    About Our Fish

    Our Fish works to ensure European member states implement the Common Fisheries Policy and achieve sustainable fish stocks in European waters.

    Our Fish works with organisations and individuals across Europe to deliver a powerful and unwavering message: overfishing must be stopped, and solutions put in place that ensure Europe’s waters are fished sustainably. Our Fish demands that the Common Fisheries Policy be properly enforced, and Europe’s fisheries effectively governed.

    Our Fish calls on all EU Member States to set annual fishing limits at sustainable limits based on scientific advice, and to ensure that their fishing fleets prove that they are fishing sustainably, through monitoring and full documentation of their catch.

    http://our.fish

    Follow Our Fish on Twitter: @our_fish

  • Global Ocean Leaders Urge Commissioner Vella To End EU Overfishing

    Global Ocean Leaders Urge Commissioner Vella To End EU Overfishing

    Brussels, 23 May 2018:- Nine global ocean conservation leaders have urged the European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, to use his “power, position, and responsibility” to end destructive and wasteful EU overfishing, ahead of the 2020 Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) deadline, and before his mandate expires in 2019.

    In a letter received by  Commissioner Vella on May 22, the nine ocean advocates expressed support for the Commissioner in his efforts to end overfishing in European waters, while acknowledging the challenges in overcoming the current status quo – where many stocks continue to be fished above scientific advice.

    The letter’s signatories warn that the EU’s reputation as a global fisheries leader on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) has generated an expectation that the EU will get its own house in order – and that correspondingly, failure to end EU overfishing will undermine the success of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.

    “We strongly encourage you to seize the opportunity of the coming months to finally bring the destructive and wasteful act of EU overfishing to an end, in keeping with the CFP deadline”, reads the letter, signed by Kristian Parker of the Oak Foundation, Jane Lubchenco of Oregon State University, Rashid Sumaila of UBC Institute for the Oceans & Fisheries, Torsten Thiele of the Global Ocean Trust, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson of Ocean Collectiv, Pascal Lamy of the Jacques Delors Institute, Enric Sala of the National Geographic Society, Kristina Gjerde of the IUCN Global Marine & Polar Program and photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

    “However, battling both the short-term interests and the lack of political will across several member states has delayed ending overfishing of EU stocks. Where science-based fishing limits have been set, healthier fish stocks have flourished, underscoring the power of reform. However, a recent analysis showed that in December 2017, contrary to the goals of the reform, 57 EU fishing limits were set above scientific levels. This unfortunate trend has resulted in only modest year-to-year improvements and – of grave concern to those who care deeply about fisheries – it risks failing to achieve the CFP’s goals by 2015 or 2020”, continues the letter.

    “With the 2020 CFP deadline to end overfishing coming up fast, EU fisheries ministers are sailing perilously close to the wind”, said Our Fish Programme Director Rebecca Hubbard. “Instead of safely reaching sustainable 2020 destination, the EU is in danger of floundering far from shore, thanks to myopic, short-term decision-making that favours the demands of big fishing industry players, over the long term health of fisheries. Commissioner Vella has taken the lead on setting a course towards sustainable EU fisheries, now fisheries ministers must join him in ending Europe’s addiction to overfishing.”

    In 2017, an update of the World Bank’s Sunken Billions report estimated that better

    management of global fisheries would unlock $83 (€70) billion in additional revenues worldwide. In the EU, millions of tonnes of fish have been discarded at sea [1], and over 40% of Atlantic fish stocks and over 90% of Mediterranean stocks are now overfished [2]. Researchers estimate that by ending overfishing, the EU could increase the amount of fish caught by up to 2 million tonnes per year, which could deliver an increase in net profits in the fishing and processing sectors by €965 million/year and an extra 92,000 jobs [3].

    The letter’s authors state that “we stand ready to support faithful implementation of the CFP, for the sake of coastal communities, the ocean and future generations whose economies, livelihoods, culture and food security depend on our generation’s actions”.

    The letter can be downloaded from the Our Fish website here.

    Notes:

    • EU member state ministers with responsibility for fisheries will decide on fishing limits four times in the course of the autumn:
    1. In October 2018 for Baltic Sea fish stocks;
    2. In November 2018 for Deep Sea fish stocks;
    3. In November 2018 for a number of shared fish stocks with Norway; and
    4. In December 2018 for Atlantic and the North Sea
    • Deep Sea fishing limits are set every second year, so this year’s agreement will be the last before the Common Fisheries Policy target of reaching sustainable fishing limits by 2020 is reached.
    • The ban on discards (Landing Obligation) is of particular importance in 2018, as January 2019 signifies when it should be fully phased in. Key decisions on improving monitoring and control to address widespread non-compliance include:
      • Updating of Specific Control Inspection Programs for the Baltic, North Sea, Western Waters and Mediterranean regions, by the Commission and EU member states, voting in September 2018;
      • Review of the Control Regulation, proposal from Commission end of May, followed by a trilogue process.

    [1] Based on figures from: European Commission, (2011). COMMISSION STAFF WORKING PAPER IMPACT ASSESSMENT Accompanying the document Commission proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Fisheries Policy [repealing Regulation (EC) N° 2371/2002]. Viewed at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/sec/2011/0891/COM_SEC(2011)0891_EN.pdf

    [2] Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) – Monitoring the performance of the Common Fisheries Policy (STECF-Adhoc-18-01). Viewed at: https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/43805/2092142/STECF+18-01+adhoc+-+CFP+Monitoring+2018.pdf

    [3] Oceana (2017), Healthy Oceans Are Good For Business. Viewed at: http://eu.oceana.org/en/publications/reports/healthy-fisheries-are-good-business

    Contacts

    Dave Walsh, Our Fish Communications Advisor, dave@our.fish +34 691826764

    Rebecca Hubbard, Our Fish Program Director, rebecca@our.fish +34 657669425

    About Our Fish

    Our Fish works to ensure European member states implement the Common Fisheries Policy and achieve sustainable fish stocks in European waters.

    Our Fish works with organisations and individuals across Europe to deliver a powerful and unwavering message: overfishing must be stopped, and solutions put in place that ensure Europe’s waters are fished sustainably. Our Fish demands that the Common Fisheries Policy be properly enforced, and Europe’s fisheries effectively governed.

    Our Fish calls on all EU Member States to set annual fishing limits at sustainable limits based on scientific advice, and to ensure that their fishing fleets prove that they are fishing sustainably, through monitoring and full documentation of their catch.

    http://our.fish

    Follow Our Fish on Twitter: @our_fish

  • Why is Deadpool 2’s Josh Brolin naked, holding a fish?

    Why is Deadpool 2’s Josh Brolin naked, holding a fish?

    Photo caption: Josh Brolin supports the Our Fish campaign to end European overfishing by posing with a fish for Fishlove © Fishlove/Alan Gelati

    London 14 May 2018:- As the Marvel superhero movie Deadpool 2 opens in cinemas around the world, why is Hollywood star Josh Brolin, who plays Nathan Summers/Cable, posing naked with a fish on his Instagram account?

    Brolin’s mysterious post, which has attracted more than 100,000 likes, shows the actor holding a sustainably caught wahoo (Ono) from Hawaii, as part of the Fishlove photography project, which raises awareness of unsustainable fishing practices that are destroying the earth’s marine ecosystem.

    Brolin’s image is one of many to come in 2018, from Fishlove, in partnership with Our Fish, which campaigns to ensure European governments achieve sustainable fish stocks in European waters.

    “The series we’re putting together now will feature some of the most recognisable faces on the planet,” says Nicholas Röhl, co-founder of Fishlove with Greta Scacchi, who has recently returned from his first trip to Los Angeles. “Fishlove is a visual petition by actors and well-known personalities who want overfishing to end,” he says.

    Fishlove has already attracted the support of Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Michael Gambon, Sir Richard Branson, Melanie Laurent, Fiona Shaw, Terry Gilliam, Kenzo, Dame Judi Dench, Emilia Fox, Mark Rylance, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Imelda Staunton – all of whom have posed with fish, in a call to save our seas from overexploitation.

    “The Year 2020 sounds like a dystopian Hollywood movie – yet this is the deadline set by the EU for ending overfishing of fish stocks and we are now hurtling towards it, with our governments asleep at the wheel”,said Our Fish Programme Director Rebecca Hubbard. “Overfishing and climate change are putting fish stocks under pressure, and threatening the health of ocean ecosystems and food security.”

    “Even though a ban on discarding fish is being phased in, behaviour at sea hasn’t changed: there are still tens of thousands of tonnes of fish being thrown overboard in European waters. Every EU country must enforce the discard ban and put an end to illegal and unreported discarding, and end overfishing. Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain and the UK are the most important players and must work together to reach European and international targets – and return European fisheries to a healthy state.”

    A petition to end overfishing and discarding, and protect European marine environments, has over 179,000 signatures. View the petition

    Images

    Preview image is available here. For a high resolution image, contact Nicholas Rohl, Fishlove, nicky@fishlove.co.uk

    Photographer AND caption MUST be added to any usage of this image: 

    Photo caption: Josh Brolin supports the Our Fish campaign to end European overfishing by posing with a fish for Fishlove © Fishlove/Alan Gelati

    Contacts

    Dave Walsh, Communications Advisor, dave@our.fish +34 691826764

    Rebecca Hubbard, Program Director, rebecca@our.fish +34 657669425

    Nicholas Rohl, Fishlove, nicky@fishlove.co.uk, +44 7941 492 305

    About Fishlove

    Fishlove was set up in 2009 by Nicholas Röhl, co-owner of MOSHIMO, and actress Greta Scacchi to raise awareness of the unsustainable fishing practices that are destroying the earth’s marine ecosystem.

    Since then, the Fishlove images have succeeded in bringing the subject of over-fishing to the front covers and pages of the world’s media many times over. It is a visual petition of amazing people, including Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Michael Gambon, Sir Richard Branson, Melanie Laurent, Fiona Shaw, Terry Gilliam, Kenzo, Dame Judi Dench, Emilia Fox, Mark Rylance, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Imelda Staunton, to save our seas.

    In acknowledgment of the central role Fishlove has played in promoting fish conversation as part of the reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy in 2013, a major and influential exhibition of the portraits was held at the European Commission in Brussels at the invitation of Maria Damanaki, then EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

    Helena Bonham-Carter’s image with a tuna, released in 2015, is credited with having helped persuade the UK government to commit to establishing some of the largest, fully protected marine reserves on earth.

    All of the fish shown in the photographs are commercially fished, although some species shown are regarded by scientists as being over-fished and threatened. Fishlove believes that the use of these fish in these photographs is justified so as to highlight what species could be lost if overfishing continues.

    None of the fish depicted in the photographs have been specifically caught for the purposes of making these photographs, and would have been landed irrespective of whether these photographs were taken or not. Other than in very unusual circumstances, the fish photographed are eaten afterwards. The fish in this image was sourced from Santa Monica Seafood

    Fishlove is produced by MOSHIMO, an independent Japanese restaurant in Brighton co-owned by Nicholas Röhl and Karl Jones. Famous for its Fishlove campaign, the restaurant has also won a prestigious PETA award for its promotion of plant-based eating.

    https://fishlove.co.uk/

    Follow on:

    Twitter @fishlove2020 Instagram @fishlovecampaign Facebook @fishlovecampaign

     

    About Our Fish

    Our Fish works to ensure European member states implement the Common Fisheries Policy and achieve sustainable fish stocks in European waters.

    Our Fish works with organisations and individuals across Europe to deliver a powerful and unwavering message: overfishing must be stopped, and solutions put in place that ensure Europe’s waters are fished sustainably. Our Fish demands that the Common Fisheries Policy be properly enforced, and Europe’s fisheries effectively governed.

    Our Fish calls on all EU Member States to set annual fishing limits at sustainable limits based on scientific advice, and to ensure that their fishing fleets prove that they are fishing sustainably, through monitoring and full documentation of their catch.

    http://our.fish

    Follow Our Fish on Twitter: @our_fish

  • EU Eel Evaluation Roadmap: NGO submission

    EU Eel Evaluation Roadmap: NGO submission

    Evaluation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 of 18 September 2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel.

    “We strongly support the upcoming evaluation and welcome this opportunity to provide feedback on the effectiveness and implementation of the EU Eel Regulation.”

    The population of European eel has declined dramatically since the 1970s*. Recruitment of juvenile eels remains extremely low despite the joint EU management framework, which has now been in place for 10 years. The state of European eel remains critical and further action is urgently needed.

    Earlier evaluations indicate that the current EU management framework is insufficient and show that implementation of the regulation and of the national eel management plans has been delayed, piecemeal and focused on efforts with little discernible impact on the recovery of the European eel population. Notably, it has been very difficult to measure progress against the main target – at least 40% escapement of silver eels. While a strong focus of resources has been placed on restocking of eel, there is no evidence that this effectively contributes to future recruitment. Most countries maintain a directed fishery, and illegal catches and trafficking of glass eels remain a major problem.

    Habitat loss and deteriorating water quality also affect eel. The latest assessment of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive shows poor status for around 60% of surface water bodies and a massive presence of migration barriers**.

    Since the Eel Regulation came into force, some major changes in related EU policies have taken place. Notably, the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy resulted in the new commitment to restoring the biomass of all harvested fish stocks above levels capable of producing Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). MSY is also used as a key criterion to assess Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. We are therefore particularly pleased to see the evaluation’s focus on coherence with other EU legislation, as well as with international instruments.

    We ask the European Commission to ensure that this evaluation of the effectiveness and coherence of the measures taken to aid the recovery of European eel assesses all aspects of eel management and potential options for the future, including:

    • The objective of 40% escapement of silver eels and whether it is in coherence with the precautionary principle and the MSY objective
    • The effectiveness of fisheries closures/restrictions for all life stages
    • The targets and indicators set in the national eel management plans, as well as the national monitoring to measure progress
    • Reporting and data collection obligations
    • Restocking practices and the associated overall effectiveness in terms of conservation
    • Progress on measures to address other major anthropogenic impacts on eel, primarily habitat restoration and removal of migration barriers
    • The use of public funds (EMFF) and whether it has aided eel recovery
    • The substantial illegal trade of European eel outside of and inside the EU and its effect on eel conservation
    • Control and enforcement issues related to the entire chain, from glass eel fisheries to consumption of eel products, including more coordinated action between the Member States’ enforcement agencies
    • The implementation of EU commitments within the framework of CMS and CITES

    Bearing all of the above in mind, we look forward to a thorough evaluation of all aspects of the European eel management framework, and to future opportunities to engage with this process.

    It is our hope that through implementation of urgent measures and better management and protection in the future, we can enable long-term recovery and sustainable exploitation of European eel, but we note that we are a very long way from there today. 

    Submitted by: ClientEarth, European Anglers Alliance, FishSec, Good Fish Foundation, Our Fish, Pew Charitable Trusts, Seas At Risk and WWF

    Download as PDF: Eel Evaluation Roadmap NGO submission

    *www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Advice/2017/2017/ele.2737.nea.pdf
    **www.eea.europa.eu/themes/water/status-and-monitoring/state-of-surface-waters

     

     

    Background: EU begins evaluation of eel management

    On 13 April 2018, the European Commission released a Roadmap for the upcoming evaluation of the Eel Regulation. The evaluation is set to help the Commission decide whether to review the regulation or focus on improving implementation. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on issues related to the implementation of the Eel Regulation until 11 May 2018, and then in a second consultation in October.

    The so called Evaluation and Fitness Check Roadmap of Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 of 18 September 2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel provides background on the issue and explains the process and focus for the evaluation. The intention is to inform stakeholders and enable them to participate effectively in the process as well as provide views and possible solutions for better eel management. It is the first step of a process that may take several years.

    The evaluation process started in Spring 2018, with a final report expected in the first quarter of 2019. It consists of three parts: an external evaluation of the management framework, an ICES assessment of the biological aspects and a Commission review of the use of public funds to support implementation. The first public feedback period (open 13 April to 11 May) is intended to inform the initial phase of the evaluation, whereas the second public consultation in October will give stakeholders a chance to reflect on some of the initial results and provide views on potential measures.

    First evaluation found significant delays

    This will be the second EU evaluation since the Eel Regulation came into force in September 2007. The previous evaluation took place after the first national progress reports were submitted in 2012 and a report was presented to the Council and European Parliament in 2014 (in line with requirements in the regulation (Art. 9.2)).

    The first evaluation found that the status of the European eel remained critical and in need of urgent action and that the implementation of the Eel Regulation had suffered significant delays. It also found that most of the management measures taken were related to fisheries, whereas other measures such as improving habitats or controlling predators and parasites had been postponed or only partially implemented. Altogether, it was difficult to assess progress towards the main objective of increasing silver eel escapement due to all the delays and the long timeframes involved. It also highlighted that few countries had reached their restocking targets and there was concern that restocking practices may not contribute to increased escapement but instead sustained the fishing for eel.

    This second evaluation is therefore crucial in terms of assessing the effects of management measures, as more time has passed. Also, since the previous Commission report, the reformed CFP (Regulation (EU) 1380/2013) objective of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) has been applied to stock management.

    Effectiveness and coherence in focus

    The emphasis of this evaluation is on the effectiveness and coherence of the measures taken to aid the recovery of European eel, in particular through the national Eel Management Plans. A number of areas are listed, including the design and implementation of restocking efforts, the management of glass eel fisheries, enforcement and monitoring both in marine and inland waters, coherence with other EU legislation and international instruments, including CITES and CMS, as well as the use of public money from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to aid implementation.

    The Commission is now awaiting Member State reports on the use of EMFF funds, implementation of the Water Framework Directive and, in particular, the national eel management plans in order to gather the information needed for the external and internal evaluations. ICES has put out an extended data call on eel to support its work.

    When the evaluation report is finalised in early 2019, the Commission will make its decision on the way forward, probably including an Impact Assessment of potential measures. If the regulation needs to be revised, this is a longer process with proposals for amendments that will need to be discussed and agreed between the Council and the European Parliament. It could take years, particularly considering that 2019 is the year of European Parliament elections, the appointment of a new European Commission and Brexit.

    Meanwhile, European eel remains listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, trade is restricted under CITES Annex II and efforts are ongoing to support its conservation under the Convention on the conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). European eel is still in need of urgent actions to support its recovery.

    A Commission attempt last year to close all EU fishing of adult eels – arguably the most rapid way to aid increased reproduction – was not supported by the Member States. Instead, a joint Declaration on strengthening the recovery for European eel was agreed, committing Member States to step up their actions, including a review of current restocking practices and fighting illegal fishing and trade. In the context of fishing opportunities for 2018, a 3-month ban on fishing for European eel of 12 cm or more is to be implemented by the Member States between 1 September 2018 and 31 January 2019. .

    Across the wide geographical spread of European eel, responses to its plight have been slow, patchy and largely ineffective. The first reports of substantial decline came already in the 1970s, but it took over three decades to get agreement on a management framework for the European Union and a listing under CITES Annex II to restrict trade.

    The European eel regulation (EC 1100/2007) was finally adopted in 2007. It is a framework regulation with an overarching objective (Art. 2.4) – 40 % escapement of silver eel biomass compared to pre-anthropogenic levels – and an agreed set of measures to use. It requires Member States to create and implement Eel Management Plans for each “eel river basin”, and to submit progress reports every third year, beginning in June 2012.

    The implementation of the eel management plans has been riddled with problems, including delays, a lack of reporting, a misuse of measures to support fishing rather than conservation and a very substantial illegal trade in glass eels with countries outside of the EU. Against this background, the upcoming evaluation is incredibly important.

    Photo: Actress Florence Keith-Roach “98.4% of the European eel population is already GONE. Continuing to fish for them is like hunting pandas!”

    Photo credit: @Fishlove/Jillian Edelstein, fishlove.co.uk. Check out this story on the collaboration between Our Fish and Fish Love.