The Netherlands – Fight for Sustainable Fishing
Fishermen often throw half of their catch back into the sea — because the fish are small and therefore not as profitable as their larger counterparts and because the fishermen want to keep within their EU fishing quotes. Slowly, it is now becoming accepted wisdom that this is also one reason for the dwindling fish stocks. At fish auctions in the Netherlands a seal of approval has been introduced to indicate the use of sustainable fishing practices. We visit a Dutch fisherman who is currently in the process of modifying his fishing equipment so that less small fry gets caught up in his nets. September 03, 2009
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Demand For Sushi is Affecting Tuna Stocks
Sky News goes fishing off Sardinia to find out why stocks of Bluefin Tuna are dwindling and why campaigners are calling for a boycott on Tuna produce.
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BBC – An end to Tuna
BBC London feature on the plight of tuna and their last days on the sushi plates.
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The End of the Line – Theatrical Trailer
The End of the Line is a powerful film about one of the world’s most disturbing problems – over-fishing. Advances in fishing technology mean whole species of wild fish are under threat and the most important stocks we eat are predicted to be in a state of collapse by 2050. The film points the finger at those most to blame, including celebrity chefs, and shows what we can do about it. This is not just a film, it is also a campaign – for sustainable consumption of fish, for marine protected areas to allow the sea to recover, and for a new ethic of responsible fishing.
www.endoftheline.com
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THE COVE – Theatrical Trailer
In this pulse-pounding eco-thriller, a crack team of divers, activists and special effects experts infiltrate a secret cove in Japan to expose one of history’s most shocking and unimaginable crimes against nature. Winner of the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
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How to protect the oceans - Sylvia Earle
Legendary ocean researcher and TED Prize Winner, Sylvia Earle shares astonishing images of the ocean — and shocking stats about its rapid decline — as she makes her TED Prize wish: that we will join her in protecting the vital blue heart of the planet.
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Shark finning in the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Australian Government still allows unsustainable shark fishing to occur in the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. Currently 600tonnes of shark (over 70 000 sharks) are legally killed each year in the Great Barrier Reef, most of which are slaughtered for their fins which are then exported to the Asian market for shark fin soup. It is unacceptable that the Australian Government allows this unsustainable and unethical practice to continue.
Shark finning at sea, where the fins are cut off the shark and the carcass is thrown overboard, is banned in Australia (thanks to the Australian Marine Conservation Society). However, shark fin fishing continues. Sharks are still being targeted for their high value fins although their carcasses are now kept and sold on the domestic market as ‘flake’ or sold as low value waste products.
Sharks are extremely vulnerable to fishing impacts. This is because their biology is more like whales and dolphins than other fish. Sharks are slow growing, have extremely low reproductive rates (producing very few young) and are mostly long lived. This means that they are very slow to recover from impacts on their populations. Many shark fisheries around the world have collapsed.
Sharks are apex predators, helping to control populations of prey species. Consequently, reducing the number of sharks may have significant and unpredictable impacts on other parts of the ecosystem.
For more information or to help the Australian Marine Conservation Society stop shark fishing, visit www.marineconservation.org.au
February 24, 2009
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Marine Reserves Are the Answer
A growing body of scientific evidence that demonstrates what we at Greenpeace have been saying for a long time: that the establishment of large-scale networks of marine reserves, urgently needed to protect marine species and their habitats, could be key to reversing global fisheries decline.
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The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
Rupert Howes, CEO of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), focuses on reversing the decline in global fish stocks through MSC’s marine certification and eco-labeling programs. Today 500 MSC-labeled products from 22 certified fisheries are sold in 26 countries.
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Meet Barry Wrasse
Protect Our Coral Sea – Barry the Wrasse thinks you should talk to Mr Rudd.
The Coral Sea is a tropical marine jewel which lies east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Its one of the last places on Earth where large marine animals can still be found in great numbers. Yet less than 1% of this Serengeti of the Seas is protected. Right now the federal government is considering the future of the Coral Sea within Australian waters. Help make the Coral Sea a safe haven for marine life. Sign our petition. Tell your friends. Pass on the message.Can you make a difference? You bet your Wrasse you can.
Sign the petition at www.protectourcoralsea.org.au
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www.shrimpsuck.org
A US site based around educating people on shrimp fishing practices.
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BBC Earth Report – Sustainable Fishing & Stolen Fish
Part 1 of 4, a documentary report from BBC Earth Report on the problem of sustainable fishing, and the problem of illegal fishing fleets.
Heaps more to watch on youtube! Go find it!
The Vagabond www.vagmag.org
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