14 September 1998
WWF FISHERIES CONFERENCE SEEKS SOLUTIONS TO CURRENT CRISIS
New Threatened Fisheries Map Highlights Priority Areas For Action
LISBON --WWF, the world's largest conservation organization, unveiled
a new map today showing threatened fisheries within the world's most
biologically important marine areas and called on governments and
industry to find new solutions to halt the escalating global
fisheries crisis.
"The map identifies outstanding marine ecoregions that contain
fisheries severely threatened by overfishing and destructive fishing
practices," said Michael Sutton, director of WWF's Endangered Seas
Campaign. "This week's conference aims to explore solutions that will
safeguard these critical areas, as well as other marine ecosystems and
the livelihoods of those who depend upon them."
Participants at the WWF conference, Creating a Sea Change: Resolving
the World's Fisheries Crisis, are debating innovative tools such as
establishing no-fishing zones, creating market incentives and reducing
subsidies that could help bring about better fisheries management.
"All stakeholders realize that time is running out. These solutions
represent the best hope for ensuring sustainable fisheries
management," said Mr Sutton.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an independent initiative
designed to create market incentives for responsible fisheries through
independent certification and labelling, is one new idea with broad
support among fishers, processors, retailers and conservation groups.
Once operational, it will give consumers a choice to purchase fish and
other seafood they know come from sustainable sources.
Stacy Standley, director of WWF's Living Planet Campaign, issued a
special appeal to business and governments to take extraordinary
action and make a 'Gift to the Earth' to ensure the future of marine
fisheries. He cited examples, including Unilever's commitment to the
MSC, recent efforts by Italy and Monaco to create a whale sanctuary in
the Mediterranean, and a newly declared 'Gift to the Earth' to
establish marine protected areas in Portugal.
"WWF congratulates the Portuguese government on the successful outcome
of the Law Decrees creating the first continental marine protected
areas in Portugual, Arrabida and Berlengas," said Mr Standley. "This
is an important contribution for the conservation of marine
biodiversity and a step towards the establishment of a network of
marine protected areas."
"With help from all stakeholders, we still have time to restore
abundant seas and leave our children a living planet," Mr. Standley
concluded. "The health of the marine environment and the lives and
livelihoods of millions of people around the world depend on what we
do now."
For more information about the map or the fisheries conference, please
contact Karen Flanders, (31) 65425-1769, Someshwar Singh at (41)
79-310-8102 or Leigh Ann Hurt (44) 468-336-398; or call the WWF Room
at the conference centre at (35) 11-361-2502/2505.
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