In an open letter to ministers, the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA) warns its patience is running out with governments’ inaction to halt overfishing in the Northeast Atlantic
The group, a collective of global retail and supply-chain players, is urging coastal states to turn the tide on more than two decades of unsustainable management, pleading ‘enough is enough’.
“Sustainable fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic must be your priority at the upcoming 2023 Coastal States consultations,” says the letter.
“We are asking you not to walk away from this year’s talks without a unanimous and sustainable agreement on catches for 2024.”
NAPA warns that inaction is driving the supply chain to rethink its purchasing decisions, with members Skretting Norway, Asda, BioMar and Young’s all threatening to stop using products from unsustainable fisheries.
Species such as herring, mackerel and blue whiting are being exploited because key fishing nations are unable to agree on quotas, says Napa, pointing to July’s deal between the UK and Norway as evidence that agreement can be reached if the will is there.
“Now, we want to see all seven coastal states unite in the spirit of common sense and consensus,” says the letter.
Using the latest data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), NAPA argues that catch limits exceed those advised and asks, “How far do these stocks fall before you will take action?”
Since 1996, all but one year has seen excessive quotas, says Napa. “It’s time to put your old habits to bed and protect these vital stocks,” says the letter.
“This is our message in a bottle,” concludes the letter. “What will it take for you to back the drive for sustainable seafood and well-managed fisheries, and land solutions?”
