The Black Fish joins coalition to act on overfishing
Wednesday 15 February, 2012, 12:50, by
Today The Black Fish joined the OCEAN2012 coalition as its 150th member organisation. The coalition is the largest of its kind, fighting industrial overfishing by European fishing fleet and pushing for reforms to the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which is due for a overhaul this year.
Deep frozen bluefin tuna, a species heavily overfished
Photo by George Stoyle/Marine Photobank
"What the oceans need more than anything is a broad public movement fighting its corner. Cooperation between organisations is essential and the OCEAN2012 coalition is a historic attempt to organise a diversity of marine conservationists on an international level. By focusing on the common ground and campaigning collectively, the coalition is able to take on big issues such as the international agreements governing EU fisheries in an effective way. I cannot stress enough how important this is. If European governments worked together in a similar way, the ocean would surely be in a better state" says Wietse van der Werf, co-founder of The Black Fish.
The Black Fish is preparing for two international campaigns this summer. One for the protection of the bluefin tuna which is heavily overfished and continuely threatened by illegal fishing activity. The illegal use of driftnets in another issue The Black Fish is preparing to take action on. Both campaigns will be used to raise the profile of the general state of marine conservation in Europe as well as the activities of the OCEAN2012 coalition.
For more information see the OCEAN2012 website or follow on Facebook and Twitter
