Management oversight, government regulations, and quotas for fisheries are a relatively recent development. But while some countries are now making a huge effort to stem overfishing, much more needs to be done.
Fishing problems: Poor fisheries management
A host of problems
In many cases, fisheries rules and regulations and enforcement are not efficient; fishing capacity and efforts are not sufficiently limited or controlled. Current management problems include:- Inadequate fisheries regulations: In many fisheries, current rules and regulations are not strong enough to effectively limit fishing capacity and effort to a sustainable level. This is particularly the case for the high seas, where there are few international fishing regulations.
- Lack of implementation/enforcement: Even when fisheries regulations exist, they are not always implemented or enforced. For example, many countries have still not ratified, implemented, or enforced international regulations such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the UN Fish Stocks Agreement. Lack of political will is also responsible for failures to adopt bycatch reduction devices.
- Failure to follow scientific advice: Many fisheries management bodies do not heed scientific advice on fish quotas. E.g., Atlantic cod, tuna
- Flag of Convenience vessels: Countries are either failing to restrict fishing companies from owning and operating FoC vessels, or are not rigorously inspecting FoC vessels landing at their ports. This include countries with some of the biggest fishing fleets such as the EU, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. This allows illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing fishing to continue.
- Lack of traceability: Customs agencies and retailers are not always ensuring that the fish entering their country and shops was caught legally and in a sustainable manner. This means that consumers are unwittingly supporting poor management by purchasing fish from unsustainable fisheries.
- Too few no-go areas for fishing: Protected areas and no-take zones, where fishing is banned or strictly regulated, can provide essential safe havens where young fish can grow to maturity and reproduce before they are caught. But just 1.2% of the world's oceans have been declared as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and 90% of existing MPAs are open to fishing. The current lack of protection is especially worrying for fish spawning grounds and the deep sea, both of which are particularly vulnerable to overfishing.
Cod caught in the North Atlantic
Going, going, gone?
Despite the 1992 collapse of Canada’s northern cod populations following years of overfishing, EU fisheries ministers consistently ignored scientific advice on recommended cod catches in European waters, particularly the North Sea.
For over a decade, the EU Fisheries Council set higher quotas for cod catches than recommended by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), resulting in seriously depleted populations. It was only in 2008 that the EU finally took steps to save the North Sea cod fishery.
For over a decade, the EU Fisheries Council set higher quotas for cod catches than recommended by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), resulting in seriously depleted populations. It was only in 2008 that the EU finally took steps to save the North Sea cod fishery.
Global Initiatives & Programmes
How you can help
- Buy sustainable seafood. By purchasing MSC-certified seafood products, consumers, retailers, and traders are helping to encourage and reward responsible fisheries. Without the MSC label, your seafood may well stem from illegally fished or overfished sources. Take a look at our seafood guides today!
- Donate to WWF to help support our fisheries and marine conservation work
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