Climate change activists are urging the EU and UK to end overfishing as the two begin formal negotiations to set 2023 catch limits.
The poor state of our seas and the worsening climate and biodiversity crises have prompted NGOs including Oceana, Blue Marine Foundation, Marine Conservation Society and ClientEarth to urge both parties to ”adhere to the science” and end overfishing.
“Every year the EU and the UK reaffirm their commitments to sustainable fishing - only to then ignore the science when setting fishing quotas,” said Vera Coelho, Oceana.
“As climate-induced threats add even more pressure on marine life, it is imperative both parties take a more precautionary and long-term approach to save our fish and marine environment.”
Recent audits by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas) have estimated that 65% of the 2021 limits exceeded scientifically advised levels, something Cefas says has been the case for the past three years.
Herring, Northeast Atlantic horse mackerel and Irish Sea whiting are all depleted, but it is cod which is in the most critical state with all stocks at historically low levels prompting the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to call for a major reduction in catches or even a complete ban.
The NGOs are therefore urging the EU and UK to not exceed the advice provided by ICES; to set limits for some stocks, particularly those most at risk from climate change, to levels below the maximum; and to take an ecosystem-based approach, especially regarding species in mixed fisheries.
