This week I received my copy of “The End Of The Line”. It is a great documentary with a simple message. We are literally fishing the ocean to depletion. This will undermine the whole ecosystem with indeterminable effects.
The movie covers a lot including, the fish stocks that are endangered, how big business affects smaller developing nations, case studies on ecosystems that have been decimated and how other methods such as fish farming and other types of aquaculture will not work.
What is clear from the film from my point of view is that the science is the icing on the cake. We already know that marine systems are failing. There are plenty of fishing communities around the world that are not commercially viable anymore. It is a race to try and influence people to change the way they consume seafood and work with the sustainable commercial fishing sector.
Personally I don’t eat seafood, but to those that do, you can be more aware on what choices you do make, to understand the effect big business is having on “your” ocean and look to support the ocean for the next generation. For those interested the Australian Marine Conservation Society sells a seafood guide that can be purchased for $9.95 that can assist you in making seafood choices.
Another organisation that is pushing the future of sustainable seafood is the Marine Stewardship council. It certifies fisheries and restaurants for sustainable fishing practices.
To use the MSC Eco-label, each fishery must prove it can meet the 3 main principles of the council.
Principle 1: Sustainable fish stocks
The fishing activity must be at a level which is sustainable for the fish population. Any certified fishery must operate so that fishing can continue indefinitely and is not overexploiting the resources.
Principle 2: Minimising environmental impact
Fishing operations should be managed to maintain the structure, productivity, function and diversity of the ecosystem on which the fishery depends.
Principle 3: Effective management
The fishery must meet all local, national and international laws and must have a management system in place to respond to changing circumstances and maintain sustainability.
Each principal is supported by 23 more detailed criteria. You can download these here.
So, things you can do right now to influence the future of sustainable fishing practices,
- Be aware of the fish choices you consume, understand what are better or worse choices
- Visit the Australian Marine Conservation Society and read up on what practices are threatening our seas
- Consider not eating any seafood
- Be aware and make others aware of the threats to the Ocean, start the conversation
- Choose MSC – certified seafood
- Encourage your favorite restaurants to become MSC certified
Currently less than 1% of the worlds Oceans are protected zones. This means that places that are currently unexploited will soon be. As a diver I love the sea, it should be valued for what it is. We are the citizens that own the sea, and big, environmentally wasteful multinational corporations are stealing the future from the next generation. The future depends on you as an individual.
Please leave a comment on your thoughts.
Chris.