While the ocean and its marine biodiversity are at the core of food and economic security issues, we are witnessing a global depletion of fishery resources. The consequences of overfishing, in addition to the effects of climate change, have major impacts on marine resources and their spatial distribution, thus, affecting entire ecosystems and the populations that rely on them.
Based on this observation, the Ocean & Climate Platform organised on September 25th, 2020, an Ocean and Climate Meeting on “Impacts of fishing and climate change on life below water: what challenges for the future?” with the participation of Didier Gascuel, Professor of marine ecology at Agrocampus Ouest Rennes, and member of the OCP’s Scientific Committee, Philippe Cury, Director of Research at the IRD, and member of the OCP’s Expert Committee, Rohan Currey, Chief of Science and Standards for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as well as, Rebecca Hubbard, Program Director at Our Fish.
Our panel of experts analysed the possible solutions. An overhaul of fishing practices based on an ecosystemic and sustainable approach is at the heart of this reflection. It notably implies a review and definition of regulatory, economic and fiscal measures such as the setting of new quotas, thresholds and exploitation standards based on available scientific knowledge, the certification of sustainable fisheries as well as the end of fuel tax exemption policies.
Hence, this transition will not be possible without a multi-actor dynamic, mobilising civil society, decision-makers as well as the scientific community around sustainable fishing.
With this in mind and following the many constructive discussions of this Ocean & Climate Meeting, the Ocean & Climate Platform unveils its policy brief “Impacts of fishing and climate change on life below water: what challenges for the future? ”
Click on the image for the full Policy Brief in English