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Plunder of the Oceans - EJF at the Frontline Club

(Audio only)

EJF's Ocean Campaigner Andy Hickman speaks at the Frontline Club on the 7th June. Short film screening of Deadly Catch, followed by a discussion with an expert panel and audience Q&A. Chaired by Tom Clarke, science correspondent Channel 4 News. Domitilla Senni, policy adviser to the Pew Environment Group since 2006. John Pearce is a Senior Consultant at MRAG Ltd.

One of the single biggest factors in ocean degradation is overfishing. Fish stocks have declined dramatically, with as much as 90% of big fish gone in some parts of the global ocean. More than one billion people rely on fish as their main source of protein globally. As catches decline and quotas and rules are tightened in response, there has been a huge increase in illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) or “pirate” fishing.

Pirate fishing is estimated to make up almost one-fifth of the global catch, and respects neither national boundaries nor international attempts to manage ocean resources. The recent seizure of £4 million worth of seafood in the Spanish port of Las Palmas, allegedly caught illegally in west African waters and headed for dinner tables in Europe, serves to highlight this growing criminal trade, which exploits lax regulations at ports and on the high seas, and often involves serious human rights infringements.

EJF at the Real Food Festival

The Environmental Justice Foundation was at the Real Food Festival this year talking to the public, chefs and industry about the Save the Sea campaign and illegal fishing in West Africa.

Alongside EJF's exhibition showing the supply chain of illegal fish from West Africa making its way to Europe and the impacts on coastal fishing communities in Sierra Leone, the event was also a great opportunity for EJF volunteers and campaigners to discuss the issues and ask people why they think it's so important to Save the Sea.

Act now to bring pirate fishing vessels out of the shadows!

'Pirate fishing' operators steal with impunity and devastate marine environments. With a Global Record of Fishing Vessels we would have a far clearer picture of vessel ownership, vessel histories as well as the size and capacity of each country's fleet.

With thanks to sound studio 4AM Productions.

European Commissioner's Speech

Ms. Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, during her keynote speech at the Global Fight Against IUU Fishing Event, Brussels 5th November 2013.