The Ocean has provided nutritious food for nearly two million years. It contributes to the air we breathe, the food we eat, the livelihoods of millions of people, and so much more.
The theme for World Ocean Day is Sustainable Fishing Means More... Here are five ways sustainable fishing gives us more.
1. More life in the ocean
Patagonian toothfish, Icelandic cod, and Cantabrian anchovy have all seen stocks rebound in recent years, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that four commercial tuna species were recovering as a result of governments enforcing more sustainable fishing quotas and successfully combatting illegal fishing. MSC-certified fisheries have improved more than 400 fishing practices in the last three years.
2. More choice
More than 20,000 MSC-labelled products are available in more than 100 countries – for every taste and budget. The MSC blue fish tick label can be found on a wide range of products, from supermarket fish fingers and canned tuna to delicious prawns and lobster.
3. More fish on the plate
It is estimated that 16 million tonnes more in catch could be generated every year if all wild-capture fisheries used sustainable practices. The MSC’s own analysis suggests that this would meet the protein needs of 72 million more people around the world every year.
4. More discovery
The MSC has awarded over GBP 4 million to projects that help us understand and improve what’s going on under the surface of the ocean. From reducing the bycatch of turtles in the waters of Reunion to aiding the recovery of Mexican red urchins after overfishing, the Ocean Stewardship Fund provides grants for fishery improvements and funds important research into bycatch reduction, protecting marine habitats and the effects of climate change. MSC commits 5% of annual royalties from certified product sales to the fund and combines these with third-party donations.
5. More for local economies
Fishing sustainably ensures the future of stocks so that the practice can remain a viable livelihood for millions of people. Almost 38 million people are employed in fisheries worldwide, according to the UN FAO’s latest data from 2020. Seafood accounts for more than US $151 billion in international trade per year.
