The World Wildlife Fund on Tuesday told members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in a presentation that its “More Fish” petition is approaching 100,000 signatures.
The petition urges MEPs to:
• Stop the top-down and short-term management by ensuring fisheries are managed regionally, under long-term plans that result in the recovery of marine ecosystems and fish stocks
• Stop the waste by implementing a coherent set of rules so that fishermen only catch what’s needed when it’s needed
• Stop overfishing overseas by applying the same principles to all European boats wherever they operate in the world
The “More Fish” petition will be handed over in September ahead of a plenary vote on Common Fisheries Policy reform, which is due to be rolled out next year.
“Our goal is to have 500,000 citizens sign up by September and show MEPs that their constituents care about sustainable fisheries and hold them responsible for achieving this. If MEPs vote for the status quo, we will fail to save Europe’s seas, fishing communities and fishing industry,” said Anouk Delafortie from the WWF’s European policy office. “But by demonstrating leadership in shaping a new and ambitious CFP they can ensure the recovery of fish stocks. And more fish if managed sustainably will lead to higher profits and better jobs.”
