Howzit Fish!: THE STATE OF OUR OCEANS

The ocean has always been viewed as a bottomless resource but the reality is that marine resources are finite.

The ocean provides us with tremendous and often unseen economic, social and cultural benefits; it acts as a vast highway for commerce, it provides a place for recreation and, importantly, it supplies food or income for 2.6 billion people worldwide. Today, however, the ancient tradition of fishing has in many cases left in its wake dangerously depleted fish stocks and an ecosystem whose balance has been sufficiently tipped to jeopardize the existence of a number of key species.

85% of the world´s fish stocks are either overexploited or exploited to their maximum (2010 United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation report).
No fishing gear is completely selective. As a result, many non-target fish or endangered species of albatrosses, sharks and turtles are accidentally caught as bycatch. Globally, it is estimated that approximately a quarter of what is caught is thrown back, often dead, and wasted (2010 United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation report).
Some fishing techniques pose a threat to marine habitats which are the life support system for marine life.
Marine ecosystems exist in a delicate balance – therefore harvesting a species can have implications for the function of the entire system.Although this problem may seem insurmountable, it is not and the WWF Sustainable Fisheries Programme is in a unique position to provide practical solutions. Placed at the interface between civil society, the private sector and government, the program has the unique ability to work across the seafood supply chain to address this challenge in the holistic manner required.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

No matter what role you play in the seafood supply chain, you can make a difference!

GREEN LIST This is the group from which people are encouraged to choose from as it contains the best managed, most sustainable choices available to consumers.

ORANGE LIST Consumers are encouraged to consider the implications of these choices.

RED LIST These are species that you should never buy. To mention a few...

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