WWF will host its first-ever international fisheries conference, Creating
a Sea Change: Resolving the Global Fisheries Crisis, on 14 & 15
September in Lisbon. More than 150 stakeholders, including industry
leaders, government experts, renowned scientists and fisheries
conservationists, will debate cutting-edge solutions to help bring about
sustainable fisheries.
Building political will for better fisheries management, creating market
incentives for sustainable fisheries and establishing fisheries reserves
as an "insurance" against overfishing are just some of the themes that
will be discussed during the two-day event.
At least 60% of the world's fisheries are overfished or fished to the limit.
Recent studies by WWF estimate that current fishing capacity is two
and a half times greater than needed to catch fish at a sustainable rate.
WWF believes that it is essential to engage all stakeholders in order to
find alternative solutions to the current fisheries crisis.
At a parallel news conference, the Marine Stewardship Council, an
independent market-led initiative, will announce its first Group of
Trustees. In addition, WWF's Living Planet Campaign will issue a call to
action to business and industry, governments and individuals to commit
to marine Gifts to the Earth, such as Unilever's pledge to certify all of its
fish products to MSC standards. WWF will also recognise recent efforts
by governments to create marine protected areas.