The European Union is considering increasing quotas for cod, haddock and herring despite warnings from marine conservationists. Stocks of these species are already fished to their limit and beyond. In fact, only 20 fish stocks in Europe are not overfished.
Ecosystems pay no attention to politics. Nice as it would be for more fish to conveniently appear, they are not going to. You cannot wish more fish into the sea. Increasing the quotas could be a disaster ecologically, and in the end would ruin the very industry the move is supposed to help.
This year, the EU is already allowing fish quotas of 11% over what marine scientists recommend. At this rate, stocks of a vitally important food source and an industry that employs thousands are never going to survive.
Tell the EU to base quotas on independent scientific advice, not what is most convenient politically. Otherwise, the seas and the industries that depend on them are headed for disaster.
