Nine global ocean conservation organisations and figures urged Karmenu Vella, on Tuesday 22 May, to do all in his power “to end destructive and wasteful EU overfishing” before his term of office ends in autumn 2019.
“We strongly encourage you to seize the opportunity of the coming months to finally bring the destructive and wasteful act of EU overfishing to an end”, in keeping with the goals of the common fisheries policy (achieving maximum sustainable yield, or MSY, by 2020 at the latest), states a letter to the commissioner.
The letter was signed by the Oak Foundation, Oregon State University, UBC Institute for the Oceans & Fisheries, Global Ocean Trust, Ocean Collectiv, Jacques Delors Institute, National Geographic Society, IUCN Global Marine & Polar Program and photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand.
The signatories argue that many stocks continue to be overfished and warn that the EU’s reputation as a global fisheries leader on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) is at stake. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)