Big-fish stocks have declined by up-to 90% since the 1950’s, with a staggering 80% of all life on earth being found in the sea, this is no small statistic. According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, who monitor 600 marine fish stocks; 77% of the world’s fisheries are either fully-exploited, over-exploited, depleted or recovering from depletion. (The FAO Report)
Current EU fishing policies dictate what can and can’t be brought back to shore. This means huge quantities of fish (up-to two-thirds) are thrown back into the sea. Unfortunately by the time fish are sorted through, most are already dead.
What is “Over-Fishing”?
Over-fishing occurs when the amount of fish being caught exceeds that being produced, meaning they are unable to sustain their populations. Over-exploitation of our fisheries can even see a complete collapse, from which the seas may never recover from.
Other Factors: There may be other contributing factors to the dwindling fish-stocks; such as pollution, environmental/habitat damage, declining fish food sources and possibly even climate change.
What is being done?
Norway has already banned the wasteful practice of throwing away caught fish, and the EU and other nations are aware of the issues and are currently evaluating fishing policies.
How can I help?
You can put pressure onto super-markets by only buying sustainably caught fish. Greenpeace have identified a list of species that you can try to avoid:
- Atlantic cod (except cod from Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, and line-caught Icelandic)
- Plaice
- Tuna, including Albacore, Bigeye and Bluefin (but excluding Skipjack)
- Tropical prawns (wild and farmed)
- Haddock (except line-caught Icelandic)
- European Hake
- Atlantic Halibut
- Monkfish
- Atlantic salmon (wild and farmed)
- Swordfish
- Marlin
- Sharks (including dog fish and huss)
- Skates and rays
The Greenpeace Red-List gives further details as to why these vulnerable species should be avoided.
Try Something New:
By diversifying the fish we eat at home and at restaurants we can help ease the pressure off of the more commonly eaten fish species, making the more ‘obscure’ fish more appealing to fisherman and help reduce the amount of fish thrown back dead. So in conclusion; try to avoid the fish listed above and eat something different this evening!