Half of all fish caught in the north sea are thrown back overboard dead. Perfectly healthy fish, wasted just because the quantity quota has been exceeded.
Current method is not sustainable and it is a global issue.
The law needs to change, please sign petition and help spread the message.
DISCARDS AT SEA
Around half of the fish caught by fishermen in the North Sea are unnecessarily thrown back into the ocean dead.
The problem is that in a mixed fishery where many different fish live together, fishermen cannot control the species that they catch.
Fishing for one species often means catching another, and if people don%u2019t want them or fishermen are not allowed to land them, the only option is to throw them overboard. The vast majority of these discarded fish will die.
Because discards are not monitored, it is difficult to know exactly how many fish are being thrown away. The EU estimates that in the North Sea, discards are between 40% and 60% of the total catch. Many of these fish are species that have fallen out of fashion: we can help to prevent their discard just by rediscovering our taste for them.
Others are prime cod, haddock, plaice and other popular food species that are %u201Cover-quota%u201D. The quota system is intended to protect fish stocks by setting limits on how many fish of a certain species should be caught.
Fishermen are not allowed to land any over-quota fish; if they accidentally catch them %u2013 which they can%u2019t help but do - there is no choice but to throw them overboard before they reach the docks.
THE SOLUTIONs
We need to diversify our fish eating habits, and we need to change policy so that it works for fish, fishermen and consumers
Thank you
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To Commissioner Damanaki, Members of the European Parliament and all member state governments,
I have seen images of dead and dying fish discarded in European waters.
I understand that the current Common Fisheries Policy leads to discarding on a vast scale; for example, half of all fish caught in the North Sea are being discarded because of the current quota system imposed by the CFP.
I want this senseless waste of food to end. I want you to use your influence to stop this unacceptable and shameful practice.
I am supporting the Fish Fight campaign to help bring about this vital change in our seas.
