Prince Charles: ‘Solutions are within our grasp’

The Seafood Summit in Vancouver, British Columbia, concluded on Wednesday with a specially recorded video address from His Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, in which he heaped high praise on seafood leaders for their pursuit of greater industry sustainability and announced that he had tasked one of his charities to look at ways in which it could help drive the movement forward.

The heir to the English throne last year launched his International Sustainability Unit (ISU), a global project that brings together national governments and global bodies such as the World Bank to prevent ecological disaster through the promotion of sustainable development.

He told delegates that through the initial findings of the ISU it was felt there were three clear ways in which fisheries could be made more sustainable:

“First, we must ensure there’s an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management which should include the adoption of large areas of marine protected areas; secondly, we must remove the perverse incentives that are used to encourage the adoption sustainable practices; and finally, we must increase the demand for sustainable seafood from the private sector.

“In an attempt to contribute to this debate my Sustainability Unit has issued a consultative document that seeks to demonstrate how these measures can be brought together to increase the adoption of sustainable fisheries management,” he said.

The prince acknowledged that while the collapse of marine ecosystems through species over-exploitation was “quite possible,” he said that thriving and productive oceans could return through continued effort.

“It’s all too easy to fall into despair,” he said. “But the truth is that the solutions we need are within our grasp.”

He added that despite all the gloom and uncertainty that’s around, it was reassuring to know that there are numerous examples of more efficient fisheries management being introduced, and that he was also heartened to learn of more fisheries improvement plans, best practice, good science and better consumer awareness.

But there does need to be a change of mindset, and the prince suggested there are still too many people who regard the planet as “a limitless source” of food and materials. He highlighted the plight of the bluefin tuna, saying the difference of opinion between industry and scientists was of grave concern.

“It’s equally worrying that consumers often fail to understand the consequences of the choices they make. The trouble is that all too often, short-term commercial pressure can blind people,” he said.

“I do hope that even in this exceptional case it is possible that a partnership approach can be found. And I really urge everyone involved to keep talking to one another for as long as it takes.

“It is in the end enlightened individuals who make the biggest difference,” the prince said.

Melanie Siggs, VP for sustainable markets with SeaWeb, announced that the 2012 edition of the Seafood Summit will take place in Hong Kong in 18 months.

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