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Over 70% of the planet's surface is ocean - filled with thousands of fishing vessels targeting tunas, sharks, and other species. Our new video shows how the International Fisheries team at @pewenvironment works to ensure sustainable and productive fisheries on the high-seas.
The key is making sure there are clear rules and consequences for everyone involved - from before boats leave the dock until the fish is landed on shore, and everywhere in between.
When at sea, vessels are likely to be fishing in the waters of one of the many RFMOs that were created by international treaties to manage these fisheries. But many have yet to agree on effective rules to ensure catches are sustainable or compliance regimes to enforce those rules
Putting science-based management in place is key to sustainability. Harvest strategies are a system of pre-agreed rules that determine, based on the best available science, how many fish can be caught each year.
http://pewtrusts.org/harveststrategies
http://pewtrusts.org/harveststrategies
Vessels can also end up inadvertently catching endangered and threatened species that also live on the high-seas, including turtles, seabirds, and cetaceans. While many RFMOs have rules that protect these species, compliance is often lacking.
Many fishing vessels transfer their catch to refrigerated carrier vessels that then transport the fish to port. Known as
transshipment, this often occurs at sea with little oversight, making it easier for a illegal catch to enter the supply chain.
http://pewtrusts.org/transshipment
transshipment, this often occurs at sea with little oversight, making it easier for a illegal catch to enter the supply chain.
http://pewtrusts.org/transshipment
Finally, catch is unloaded in a port state and sent to market.
But not every port state follows consistent international rules
to ensure that vessels that use their ports are not carrying IUU catch. Ensuring all ports follow the same rules is key to stopping illegal fishing.
But not every port state follows consistent international rules
to ensure that vessels that use their ports are not carrying IUU catch. Ensuring all ports follow the same rules is key to stopping illegal fishing.
Improving fisheries governance is critical to the future of life on the high seas.
Flag State oversight
RFMOs adopting sustainable catch limits & compliance regimes
Protecting threatened species
Improving transshipment monitoring
Port State controls
Flag State oversight RFMOs adopting sustainable catch limits & compliance regimes Protecting threatened speciesImproving transshipment monitoring Port State controls
Learn more at http://pewtrusts.org/internationalfisheries
