WWF is pressuring governments to reduce the number of commercial fishing boats to a level that marine ecosystems can sustain.
Reducing fishing capacity
Fishing can never be sustainable until the catching capacity of the world's fishing fleets is significantly reduced.
In addition to asking governments to reduce their fleet sizes, we are also pushing both governments and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to eliminate harmful fishing subsidies that contribute to excess fishing capacity.
We are recommending that the money instead be redirected to fleet capacity reduction, fish stock recovery plans, fish stock assessments, and where necessary the training of fishers for alternative employment.
In addition to asking governments to reduce their fleet sizes, we are also pushing both governments and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to eliminate harmful fishing subsidies that contribute to excess fishing capacity.
We are recommending that the money instead be redirected to fleet capacity reduction, fish stock recovery plans, fish stock assessments, and where necessary the training of fishers for alternative employment.
Shrimp fleet in harbour, Gulf of California, Mexico.
What's the problem?
A major reason for the current level of overfishing is that the global fishing fleet is 2.5 times larger than what the oceans can sustainably support.
Put simply, there are too many boats catching too few fish.
Find out more...
Put simply, there are too many boats catching too few fish.
Find out more...
