Global fish stocks are under pressure and fishing is threatening or damaging marine ecosystems. Sustainable fisheries are a priority for global food security yet there are huge losses in value because of inefficiencies in the management of capture fisheries. Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of the biggest threats to the world’s fish stocks, marine biodiversity and to the livelihoods and food security of coastal communities.

Effective reform of EU and global fisheries management, and incentives aligned with sustainable growth of aquaculture production can help seafood reach its potential in providing a secure, low-carbon, nutritious food source. Effective management would also allow us to protect the habitats and species in our oceans and seas.

Reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy in 2012 gives us the opportunity to improve conservation of fish stocks, reduce the waste of fish discards, and support the long-term economic viability of the fishing industry.

Fish of the Month: Mussels

Mussels are an important sustainable fishery in the UK, with the most mussels produced through aquaculture. They are rich in nutrients, including Omega 3, and can be a valuable part of a healthy diet, contributing to the Seafish recommendation of eating ‘two-a-week’ portions of seafood. Mussels are best eaten during colder months, outside the breeding season.

You can find out more at:
www.fishonline.org/fish/mussel-196

The Shellfish Association of Great Britain has produced a factsheet on the health benefits of eating mussels, as well as a ‘How to guide’ on preparing and cooking them. You can also find recipes for mussels on the BBC website

Latest news

• 04 May 2012: Fishing Focus issue 25 published
  
• 27 March 2012: Marine Strategy Framework Directive Consultation: UK Initial Assessment and proposals for Good Environmental Status published
  
• Announcement from 28/29 EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on options for reform to come into effect by January 2013

Key facts and figures

The current gross inefficiency of global capture fisheries amounts to about $50 billion a year in lost wealth (World Bank Sunken Billions report, 2008). Additional “losses” are due to illegal fishing (up to $23 billion a year) and cost reducing and capacity enhancing subsidies (up to $35 billion a year).

About 1bn people depend upon fish as their main source of protein and about 43.5 million people are directly employed in fishing or aquaculture worldwide. Fish is the leading export commodity for Africa, worth over US $4bn.

The UK fishing industry (6500 vessels) landed 580,000 tonnes of fish and shellfish in 2009, worth £674m and supporting about 12,000 direct jobs. Around 50% of UK catches (by value) are exported.

The UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2009 can be found on the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) website.  UK consumers purchase approximately £3.7Bn of seafood each year, £2.1Bn of which is imported.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is currently the market leader in wild capture sustainability certification schemes, with around 35% of the wild capture fish consumed in the UK coming from fisheries either certified or going through assessment. Eleven UK fisheries are MSC-certified and a further 23 are undergoing certification, or are in discussion with the MSC.

• Marine Management Organisation
• Marine Stewardship Council

What is the current situation and background

Defra’s Food 2030 Strategy (PDF 1.7 MB), launched in January 2010, set out a vision for an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable and secure food system in response to key challenges of climate change, global food security and diet related ill-health. ‘Fisheries 2027 – a long-term vision for sustainable fisheries’ set out nine vision statements to provide the framework and direction for future fisheries policy.

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the EU’s instrument for managing fisheries and aquaculture. It is highly centralised with EU Ministers making decisions each year on catch limits on ‘quota’ stocks and related measures such as the time fishermen can spend at sea. The CFP also provides financial support through the European Fisheries Fund, as well as providing the regulatory framework for monitoring, control and enforcement.

In its Green Paper on CFP reform (April 2009) the European Commission identified five failings of the CFP: fleet overcapacity; unclear policy objectives; short-term decision-making; insufficient responsibility given to the industry; and poor compliance.

The UK response to the European Commission Green Paper on CFP reform calls for economic liberalisation of EU fisheries; integration of fisheries policy with management of other marine activities and marine conservation; devolved decision-making to Member States with a greater say for fishing industry and other partners in managing individual fisheries.

The inshore fleet is facing particular difficulties with fish stocks at historically low levels and essentially too many boats chasing too few fish. We are looking at specific measures to improve the long-term sustainability of the inshore fleet and to support consumers in making sustainable choices. We take a lead internationally in combating IUU fishing.

Relevant legislation and regulations

• Common Fisheries Policy
• EU regulation on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing

Key publications and documents

• Fisheries 2027 – a long-term vision for sustainable fisheries (PDF 2 MB)
• EC Green Paper on CFP reform (PDF 120 KB)
• UK response to the European Commission’s green paper on CFP reform (PDF 250 KB)