OCEAN2012, a new coalition dedicated to transforming European fisheries policy to prevent over-fishing and enhance human well-being was launched yesterday. OCEAN2012 was founded by the Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements, the Fisheries Secretariat, nef (new economics foundation), the Pew Environment Group and Seas At Risk.
"Commissioner Borg has called for a wholesale fundamental reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. OCEAN2012 is a response to that call," said Uta Bellion, director of the Pew Environment Group’s European Marine Programme and OCEAN2012 Co-ordinator. "Continuous overfishing has resulted in less productive fisheries with a loss of jobs and livelihoods. Fewer and smaller fish are being caught with greater effort required to find them. The simple fact is that without fish there can be no fishing."
"Intensive fishing in European waters has led to dramatic declines in fish populations, for example 93 percent of North Sea cod are caught before they can even spawn."