06/08/2012 -
Europe’s fishing grounds were once among the most productive in the world. But poor management has resulted in serious depletion of fish populations, ecosystem degradation and damage to species, habitats and sites protected by EU environmental legislation. Fishing has become unsustainable, increasingly unprofitable and reliant on public subsidies. This in turn has led to deprivation in coastal communities and an ever growing reliance on imported fish.
This summer, European Fish Weeks run from World Oceans Day, June 8 to August 31, with awareness-raising activities across Europe, such as learning a new sustainable fish recipe with a celebrity chef in Spain, or joining a 14-day walk along the Polish coast which the Polish President is expected to attend. They provide European citizens with opportunities to communicate clearly that we must end overfishing or fishing will be over. Across Europe, citizens will participate in activities, and make their voices heard. Politicians are responsible for making the decisions that will end overfishing; citizens are responsible for encouraging and supporting them to make the right choices.
Find out more about European Fish Weeks activites on PewEnvironment.org.