The NGO Oceana called on Friday 21 October for the closure of the swordfish fishery in the Mediterranean, unless a recovery plan to rebuild the severely depleted stocks is put in place immediately (see EUROPE 11643).
The Mediterranean swordfish stock has been reduced to one third of its size in just 30 years. Fresh scientific advice has revealed that, if no action is taken to stop overfishing, the stock will never be able to recover by itself, Oceana says in a press release. Recent public data has also shown that swordfish fishing fleets and markets are now beginning to suffer the economic impact of this loss.
Scientific advice from international scientists at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) confirmed the critical state of swordfish stocks. The scientists have also called for a recovery plan to be put in place immediately to ensure existence of the species and bring stocks back to sustainable levels. “At the current rate, this is the only alternative to a zero total allowable catch (TAC), or in other words, shutting down the fishery”, Oceana argues.
As a direct result of the swordfish crisis, this year Malta has already seen its catches down by 25% on last year, leading to an internal economic loss of 30% for this fishery. Italy, the biggest player in the swordfish fishery, accounts for over 45% of Mediterranean swordfish catches but has to import almost seven times its catches from other countries, including Morocco and Algeria. This is to satisfy its own internal demand but, in effect, drives down market prices and harms local economies.
The European Commission is to present a management plan for the swordfish stock at the 20th special meeting of ICCAT, in Portugal from 14 to 21 November. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)