Fish

Fish is the main source of animal protein for over a billion people and provides livelihoods for 200 million. Ninety percent of these livelihoods are in developing countries.

With 75 percent of fish stocks around the world fully exploited, and a global fishing fleet that continues to expand, all global fisheries could collapse by 2048.

Pirate fishing, poor management and legal overfishing are causing losses in income worth $73 billion a year.

But the problems aren't insurmountable. Directly tackling poverty and insecurity in fishing communities, involving them in decisions about fisheries management and regulating to ensure catches and fleet capacity are sustainable can reap huge dividends.

In the UK the Marine and Coastal Access Act passed into law on 12th November 2009.

This means the UK Government will designate marine conservation zones (MCZs), which will include 'no take' marine reserves closed to damaging activities such as commercial fishing and dredging. The government has committed to introducing a network of MCZs by 2012.

Also in the UK, the Food Standards Agency has undertaken a review of its advice to eat more fish in light of the Government’s sustainable development commitments. It now encourages consumers to buy sustainably sourced fish.

Key priorities

• Global governments must support the rights of fishing communities and involve them in governance issues, while legislating to protect the seas.
• In the UK the Government must act quickly to designate MCZs, and ensure they are fully protected.
• Retailers should ensure they only buy fish from certified sustainable fisheries.
• Consumers can support sustainable fishing by demanding only sustainably sourced fish from their supermarkets and fishmongers.