<http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?206566/Poorly-managed-fisheries-impact...
security-and-livelihoods> Poorly managed fisheries impact food security and
livelihoods

A report released by the UN's independent food expert, Olivier De Schutter,
"Fisheries and the right to food" highlights the devastating impacts of
industrial overfishing on coastal communities, small-scale fishers, the
marine environment, and the right to food of millions.

"Yet again we have an authoritative report which shows us that overfishing
and the damaging effects of poorly managed fisheries is seriously impacting
vulnerable communities' food security and livelihoods" said John Tanzer,
Marine Director, WWF International.

"The fact that the number of boats and fishermen has increased eight fold
between 1970 and 1990 yet they are not seeing anything like the equivalent
increase in catch numbers speaks volumes about the consequences of
overfishing and the effects this will have on food security in the near
future."

"Yet we are still seeing relatively wealthy governments putting public funds
into subsidising boat building and industrial fishing activities. It makes
no sense because we are essentially mining the oceans instead of nurturing
their capacity to support people's ongoing needs." he said.

Fish accounts for 15 per cent of the animal protein consumed worldwide, over
20 per cent in Asia and the fishing sector provides over 54 million people
with jobs. In developing countries many of these jobs are as small-scale
fisheries employing a high proportion of women.

Weak governance and capacity gaps mean the current approaches to combat
illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing are failing. The lack of
investigation and prosecution of irresponsible distant water fleets by the
flag states also contributes to this.

Coastal communities are limited in their contribution to reduce overfishing
or IUU fishing without adequate social protection, fair prices and having
fair access to fish resources. The report points out the importance of sound
management and early and ongoing involvement of local artisanal fisher's in
the management of local fisheries and the need to support them in
maintaining improved market access for their catch.

Increased globalisation of the fishing industry has meant in 2010 the value
of traded fish products was estimated at US$102 billion, up from US$8
billion in 1976. Many developing countries have benefited from this increase
in the form of export revenue and state revenue from selling access to their
fishing ground to distant water fleets.

"Without any safeguards and in the absence of effective fisheries
management, these access agreements could prove harmful to local communities
in the form of loss of fish for people, especially in places where food
shortages occur" said Alfred Schumm, Leader of WWF's global Smart Fishing
Initiative.

Source:
<http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?206566/Poorly-managed-fisheries-impact...
security-and-livelihoods> WWF

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