A new WWF study shows for the first time the global expansion of fishing activity, from 1950 to the present, through an animated map. It clearly shows that European Union fishing fleets have expanded beyond European waters exploiting new fishing ground since 1980 and increasing the pressure on fish stocks.
The study for WWF has for the first time transposed data about the global expansion of fishing activity, from 1950 to the present, to an animated map. It shows that European vessels are now traveling to the furthest corners of the world to exploit fish stocks. Declining domestic catches and efforts to reduce the number of vessels fishing in European waters have resulted in much of the European tuna and other pelagic fleets concentrating their fishing efforts overseas.
According to the EU, in 2008 the EU external fleet comprised of 718 vessels, which represents 25% of the EU fleet in terms of gross tonnage.
The 718 vessels broken down by Member State:
According to the EU, in 2008 the EU external fleet comprised of 718 vessels, which represents 25% of the EU fleet in terms of gross tonnage.
The 718 vessels broken down by Member State:
- Spain: 424 (59%)
- France: 100 (14%)
- Portugal: 73 (10%)
- Italy: 52 (7%)
- Greece: 18 (3%)
- Lithuania: 12 (2%)
- Estonia: 10 (1%)
- UK: 9 (1%)
- Others (Latvia, Germany, Poland, Malta, Denmark, Cyprus): 20 (3%)
UK vessels operating in non-EU waters:
According to DEFRA, in 2011 the UK had vessels fishing or licenced to fish in third country/external waters as follows:
- Indian Ocean (under Indian Ocean Tuna Commission): 4 vessels fishing under agreements with Mozambique and Madagascar.
- Mauritania: 1 vessel under a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA)
- Falkland Islands: 1 vessel under private agreement
- Morocco: 2 vessels (although only
In a report publicised by the prince speaking at Fishmonger's Hall last week there are reasons for optimism about the future of the world's fish stocks despite their currently dire state at the launch of a report from his green think-tank.
The report, Fisheries in Transition details 50 case studies of successful management in various parts of the world.
The prince said the issue was dogged by a "debilitating fatalism".
His International Sustainability Unit (ISU) is aiming to build constructive dialogue between industry and ecology.
The report is the first offering on fisheries from the ISU, which aims to continue the kind of work done by the Prince's Rainforest Project on a larger range of issues.
Speaking at Fishmongers' Hall in the City of London, the prince said it was "critically urgent" that countries find better ways of dealing with over-fishing and other marine issues.
Through research and interviews with people in the trade, it documents 50 examples from the shores of every continent illustrating how once unsustainable fisheries can be turned around.
The Peruvian anchovy fishery - the world's largest - set quotas for the first time only three years ago.
Catches have fallen, but profits and wages have risen. Fishermen choosing to leave the industry have been given free training for new trades.
The report provides a wealth of detail and helpful graphics to back up the more positive aspects a global dilemma.
