WWF - Publications on or about the conservation of the marine environment

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Wild Seafood Sustainability Certification Remains Best In Class

2012-09-06

Gland, Switzerland – A new independent, global analysis of wild-capture seafood sustainability certification schemes, released today at the 10th International Seafood Summit in Hong Kong, found that the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) remains most compliant with international sustainability criteria.

These criteria not only measure the status of the stocks but also the environmental footprint of the fishery, the efficacy of the management system across all levels and the transparency, professionalism and independence of the certification process.

Comparison of Wild Capture Fisheries Certification Schemes, an update of a previous report commissioned by WWF and developed by Accenture Development Partnerships in 2009, evaluated four certification programmes (the two highest scoring programmes in the 2009 report plus two new schemes) on their conformance with WWF's sustainability criteria. The four programmes include Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Friend of the Sea, Iceland Responsible Fisheries and the MSC.

Growing demand for seafood worldwide is placing extreme pressure on the world's fisheries, about one-third of which have been pushed beyond or well-beyond their sustainable limits, while only one in five have any opportunity for development, according to the recently published FAO report, State of the World Fisheries & Aquaculture 2012. Pollution, poorly planned development, and the effects of climate change have also contributed to the degradation of the ocean environment, placing further pressure on our seafood sources.

"Given the urgency of challenges facing the world's fisheries and current confusion surrounding the meaning of different ecolabels, it is important to get a clear, independent assessment of their certifications to help consumers make informed choices," said Alfred Schumm, leader of WWF's Global Smart Fishing Initiative.

"This report demonstrates that MSC, while still improving, is clearly the best programme to drive uptake of sustainable seafood in the market and protect fisheries and their surrounding ecosystems, because its score greatly exceeds the other schemes."

The report builds on a previous study conducted by Accenture that benchmarked 17 on-pack wild-capture seafood sustainability certification programmes and seafood ecolabels.

Today's report includes an updated and enhanced analysis of four certification programmes to account for recent changes in the programmes and to further evaluate how they are being implemented. The updated criteria for this assessment include new validation and priority ecological indicators for WWF.

The report notes that none of the standards analysed are in complete compliance with WWF's sustainability criteria.

The MSC proved to be most compliant with a score of 93 per cent while the other programmes fell far short with scores of 46 per cent to 54 per cent, particularly on implementation procedure and transparency (publicly available information) within the standard setting process.

"It's one thing to look good on paper, it's another to have a lasting, positive impact on marine ecosystems," said Schumm.

"This report brings much needed rigor to the evaluation of how these programmes are being implemented in the real world. To date, the MSC still stands out as best in class to maintain healthy fish stocks and reduce ecosystem impacts of fisheries. Nevertheless, WWF will be pushing for improvements to ecosystem impacts."

Reforming EU Fisheries Subsidies

2011-10-07

In times of financial austerity, the ineffectiveness of fisheries aid is brought into sharp focus as is the overall cost to society of both fisheries subsidies and broader fisheries management failures.

The European Commission and EU decision-makers have an unparalleled opportunity in the ongoing CFP reform process and the preparations for the next EU budget period 2014-2020 to take effective and necessary steps in order to meet the goals of increasing resource efficiency and halting biodiversity loss by 2020. Anything less will contribute to the continued decline of European and global marine and freshwater ecosystems as well as the European fisheries sector.

WWF along with Greenpeace, Oceana, OCEAN 2012, BirdLife Europe and Seas at Risk produced a joint discussion paper looking at the failed promises to reduce fleet overcapacity during the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002.

INFOGRAPHIC: Marine turtles in the Coral Triangle

2011-07-21

Marine turtles are to the Coral Triangle what jewels are to a crown: both indispensable and marvelous. In the case of turtles, they are also highly vulnerable.

Check out this infographic to discover the simple aspects of turtles' life cycle, and the threats they face in the ocean.

No increase in blind spending. NGOs & OCEAN2012 oppose increase fuel subsidies to fisheries sector

2011-05-11

Selected Members of the EU Parliament have called for an increase op possible de minimis aid to the fisheries sector, mainly to provide fuel subsidies to the fisheries sector at a time of rising fuel prices. This is in strong contradiction with the EU's commitment to eliminate environmentally harmful subsidies but, more importantly, granting more public money to the fisheries sector without a clear link to delivering public goods would send a perverse signal during the discussion on the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). NGOs and the OCEAN2012 coalition oppose an increase of the de minimis ceiling. To read more, download the full position paper.

Europe's fish stocks are in trouble. Do citizens care?

2011-04-12

On 12 April 2011, WWF launched the results of an EU citizen's poll on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) at the European Parliament. The poll is timely - it comes as the European Commission is about to handover its reform proposal to the European Parliament and Member States for approval.

Citizens from 14 EU countries were asked what they thought about sustainable fish and Europe's fisheries policy. The poll results are impressive, especially for Southern European countries.

WWF presented the results of the poll to MEPs showing them their constituents care about sustainable fish and CFP reform. WWF also sent fish cards to MEPs to post onto a 'sea board' to help 'repopulate' the seas.- a way to show their constituents that they are listening and that they also support an ambitious reform.

What European Citizens want from the Common Fisheries Policy

WTO Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations: Which Way Forward?

2011-02-08

WWF issues a statement reacting to the proposals submitted by WTO member states at the beginning of the year. WTO negotiations are gearing up once more following a renewed mandate issued by G20 leaders in Seoul, Korea late last year and echoed in various fora.

Read the full statement >>

WWF study shows decline in Fiji marine turtle shell trade

2010-12-01

Suva, Fiji - The marine turtle derivatives trade in Fiji is showing a marked decrease compared to previous years, a new report from WWF South Pacific says.

The result of four years of surveys conducted in all municipal markets around Viti Levu, Turtle shells and derivatives looks at the trade in marine turtles shells, products and other species in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island.

It reveals that while sea turtles face many threats in the wild, their biggest challenge comes from human demand for subsistence and traditional products derived from their shells.

The report specifies that Fiji's Turtle Moratorium needs to be amended if this iconic species is to survive. For example, the Moratorium currently allows exemptions if turtle shells or their derivatives are used as ceremonial tokens of appreciation or for other traditional purposes.

Capacity to monitor the number of turtles captured and the trade for its meat, shell or eggs also needs further strengthening, the report says, to guarantee the long-term survival of Fiji's threatened marine turtles.

Awareness campaigns have been effective for consumers and vendors

However, an increase in awareness campaigns developed by government, NGOs, and media over the past few years have had a positive impact on conservation, with more people now taking action to protect Fiji's threatened marine turtle populations.

Lead author and WWF South Pacific marine species officer Merewalesi Laveti highlights in the report that the enforcement of the Endangered and Protected Species Act (1998) and the extension of the turtle moratorium have further enhanced the protection and conservation of marine turtles.

"A total of 102 traders were extensively interviewed for this report and they have indicated the lack of demand from consumers for turtle derivatives", she said. "Consumers who had an interest in turtle derivatives have made a shift to wooden artefacts."

Results from the survey also indicate a change in vendor behaviour, which has been brought about thanks to ongoing campaigns to raise public awareness on Fiji's endangered marine turtles.

"The change in vendor behaviour shows that the Endangered Species Protection Act and the Turtle Moratorium have been effective in enforcing laws on the ground and increasing levels of public awareness."

Black market remains an unknown quantity

The report shows that the 57 turtle shells sold in the markets from 2006 to 2008 decreased to none in 2009. However, this figure does not reflect the level of underground trading in black markets.

"Instances where the derivatives were found, dealers explained that the items were on the shelves from previous years. This is an achievement that would not have been possible without effective partnerships," Laveti said.

Other species of concern remain on the shelves

While there has been a noticeable decline in the sales of turtle shells and derivatives, the sale of other species – which the report calls "species of special concern" – continued to sell in larger volumes in fish and municipal markets around Fiji.

Species falling into this category include the near threatened juvenile Black tip shark and the endangered Hammerhead shark, which are usually sold for food. The report says this illustrates a lack of enforcement on fishing size limits as well as general awareness on what species need to be protected.

In most cases fish species of special concern tend to be ignored by traders and continue to appear in markets due to consumer demand.

Continuing to work with other stakeholders to protect marine turtles and other species of concern

The WWF South Pacific species programme works closely with the Fiji Sea Turtle Steering Committee (FSTSC) to improve awareness on the need for conservation and protection of the sea. Composed of turtle conservation stakeholders, the steering committee is also looking to extend their mandate to cover species of special concern such as the sharks, humphead wrasse and bumphead parrotfish.

Turtle shells and derivatives reiterates the need to enforce existing regulations but at the same time recognises the need for increased financial assistance to be focussed on initiating and continuing research for new information about marine turtle population in Fiji.

BROCHURE: WWF Coral Triangle programme

2010-11-21

WWF has been pioneering conservation in the Coral Triangle for more than twenty years, collaborating with businesses, NGO, government agencies and communities.

Today, we are aboard 30-foot fishing vessels giving training on how to dehook caught turtles, meeting with heads of state to secure funding and catalyze governmental support for the Coral Triangle Initiative, and signing deals with some of the leading seafood businesses in the region to help them capitalize on more sustainable ways of doing business.

Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy: WWF's recommendations for the European Union's external fleet

2010-11-04

Fishing outside EU waters by EU vessels should be firmly anchored in the 2012 revision of the Common Fisheries Policy. This is to ensure consistency and clarity on the standards of behaviour for EU vessels wherever they fish.

Check out WWF's recommendations to improve the rules that apply to EU activities, to ensure sustainable fisheries abroad.

Brazil, China, Mexico and India's proposal on special and differential treatment for developing countries on fisheries subsidies

2010-05-17

This document is intended to follow up on the latest contributions by Developing Country Members regarding the special and differential treatment issue (S&DT) and the applicable controls in the future disciplines on fisheries subsidies.

One Step Forward, Three Steps Back

2010-05-17

Now is the time to secure a future for European fisheries - WWF Manifesto

2010-05-16

Excessive pressure on fish stocks has degraded the marine environment and made European waters an increasingly difficult place to run sustainable and profitable fisheries.

Europe is reforming its Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This is a once in a decade opportunity to set things straight, and there is no time to lose. Successful reform can deliver healthy oceans, abundant fish stocks and
a sustainable livelihood for the fishing industry and fishing communities.

WWF Manifesto outlines the necessary elements of a revitalized, effective fisheries policy.

Doing green business in the Coral Triangle: the case for sustainable seafood

2010-01-25

Assessment of On-Pack, Wild-Capture Seafood Sustainability Certification Programmes and Seafood Ecolabels

2010-01-18

The MSC is ranked the highest in the ADP report, Assessment of On-Pack, Wild-Capture Seafood Sustainability Certification Programmes and Seafood Ecolabels, with a score of just over 95 percent compliance to the assessment's criteria requirements.

The report finds that except for the MSC, the other assessed schemes - Naturland, Friend of the Sea, Krav, AIDCP, Mel-Japan and Southern Rocklobster - do not evaluate fisheries across all criteria to the extent required to support sustainable fishing and healthy oceans.

WWF Response to the 2009 Green Paper : Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

2009-11-24

European Fisheries : How to Improve the Regional Advisory Councils

2009-11-24

In the context of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform which will be adopted in 2012, the European Commission launched in April 2009 a public consultation presenting the main failures of current fisheries management and opening the debate on how to improve the CFP in order to ensure sustainable fisheries.

One of the main questions raised in the Green Paper is how to focus the decision-making framework on core long-term principles. The CFP should establish a more de-centralized system of governance where the long-term goals and principles are set in Brussels and the technical measures to reach those targets are decided at a regional level. However, finding the best governance structure is a complex issue, which also raises the question about the future role of the Regional Advisory Councils (RACs).

Regardless of how the debate on regionalization and decentralization is concluded, it is likely that RACs will continue to play a role in the reformed CFP. Therefore, WWF decided to take a closer look at how well the RACs are functioning – with reference to the CFP, the RACs' own statutes, and the legislation and rules for comparable advisory bodies in other leading fishing nations (US & Australia). This comparison, which also draws from an internal RAC activity evaluation conducted by WWF, enabled the authors to identify more clearly the weaknesses and main successes RACs have achieved to date, and underlines discrepancies between the rules laid down in the legal framework and the state of play in practice. Based on the
assessment, the authors offer recommendations for improving the RACs rules and operating procedures in order for RACs to function optimally.

Coral Triangle Tuna Brochure

2009-11-19

Tuna feeds millions of people, sustains economies, and is an essetnial ecological link in the marine food web. But in the Coral Triangle, these benefits are on the brink of being list. So what do we do?

A Vision for European Fisheries: 2012 Reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy

2009-09-25

This paper examines the reasons for the failure of the 2002 revised Common Fisheries Policy and suggests changes that should be made in the upcoming round of revisions. To research the paper an extensive literature review was supplemented by interviews with a variety of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.

Banking on Cod

2009-06-16

Bycatch Factsheet

2009-06-15

Dolphins, marine turtles, seals, seabirds, sharks, juvenile fish, fish with little commercial value, corals ... billions of unwanted animals are caught every year by fishing boats then discarded dead or dying back into the ocean.

Known as bycatch, the capture of these so-called "non-target species" is a major fisheries management problem, wasting time and hundreds of millions of dollars in damaged gear and inefficient fishing methods. It's also one of the greatest threats to the marine environment, wasting a valuable natural resource and causing dramatic declines in populations of many marine species. As such, WWF is working on bycatch as a priority conservation issue.

WWF's Bycatch Initative is working to trial new fishing technologies, ensure policy frameworks support bycatch reduction, and identify effective incentives for fishermen to reduce bycatch. The Programme works with academia, the fishing industry, other conservation organizations, and governments to stimulate new solutions and promote them worldwide. The work particularly focuses on priority species, fisheries, and fish populations affected by bycatch.