Slide1: THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF FISHERY PRACTICES Leonard Sonnenschein Chair, World Ocean Network Concrete Conservation Actions Committee May 10, 2005


Concrete Research : Farming Practices Climatology Forecast Hydrologic Solution Aquaculture Practices Fishery Practices Coral Reef Sanctuaries Concrete Research Conservation Practices


“Declining world fish stocks ‘result of our collective failure,’ says Canada’s Fisheries Minister.IntraFish 2005: “Declining world fish stocks ‘result of our collective failure,’ says Canada’s Fisheries Minister. IntraFish 2005


Stock Recovery: Stock Recovery DEPLETED STOCKS RECOVERY: A CHALLENGING NECESSITY THE ISSUE During the eighteenth and nineteenth century, thinkers such as Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck and Thomas Huxley assumed that the size of the oceans and the high fecundity of commercially exploited fish and shellfish meant that, under the conditions prevailing at that time, the risk of extinction of fishery resources was low. These scientists overestimated the ocean’s resilience to fishing and underestimated both the future demand and the potential progress in fishing efficiency. However, the fact that local natural renewable resources could be depleted through wasteful competition and lack of ownership has been known literally for centuries, and by the end of the 1960s the “tragedy of the commons” was already common knowledge.


Oceanics Conference Outline: Oceanics Conference Outline The Europe, Africa, Middle East, Russian Federation, Iceland and Greenland RCM was held in Lisbon associated with the OCEANICS Symposium.  A wide variety of participants including science communicators, policymakers and managers, NGOs and civil society, scientists and researchers, media, corporate business and educators attended. The workshops assessed the actions already completed, under way and to adapt them on a regional level and to put forward proposals for the 3rd International Meeting. The theme of was how to foster European public sustainable behavior regarding the ocean. The second of the series of regional workshops that the World Ocean Network plans to participate in 2005. This program will be entitled “European Workshop on Sustainable Seafood Consumption Programme – Eating Fish Sensibly.” This discussion will establish a framework for defining a communication strategy, drafting an action plan in Europe and planning activities for the campaign.


Science, Society and Fishery: Science, Society and Fishery A regional coordinated meeting (RCM *) was called in Ahmedabad, India in association with the Education for a Sustainable Future International Conference representing the fisheries communities which were hard-hit by the tsunami as well as other fisheries communities within the India, Sri Lanka and other Indian Ocean areas summary findings: Coral reefs and mangroves provide fisheries protection Reduction in coastal development decreases runoff, aiding in fisheries productivity and aquaculture product quality Fisheries communities need to be assessed for educational opportunities toward public awareness to engage people to create better environmental conditions


European Regional Coordination Meeting Example: European Regional Coordination Meeting Example Zone 1: Europe including Iceland and Greenland Zone 2: Caspian Sea countries including Iran Zone 3: South America Zone 4: North America Zone 5: South Asia: India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives Zone 6: Southeast Asia: Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia Zone 7: Africa and the Middle East Zone 8: Asia: Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China (PRC) Day 1: Scientific assessments and Regional policy issues Keynote Addresses from: WON Host Scientists and Academics Government Intergovernmental Organizations such as: IOC, FAO, UN, Unesco Industry Day 2: “Science meets the Public” Steering Committee Members Key participants from Day 1


Factors Contributing to Unsustainability: Factors Contributing to Unsustainability Inappropriate incentives High demand for limited resources Poverty and lack of alternatives Complexity and inadequate knowledge Lack of governance Interactions of the fishery sector with other sectors and the environment Rights Transparent, participatory management Support to science, planning and enforcement Benefit distribution Integrated Policy Precautionary approach Capacity building and public awareness raising Market incentives The End of the Line: How Overfishing is Changing the World and What We Eat by Charles Clover, 2004


Factors Contributing to Unsustainability (continued): Factors Contributing to Unsustainability (continued) Water sewage treatment 65,000 chemicals Medical waste Plastic foam, plastic utensils, pieces of glass and cigarette butts “ghost nets” Air pollution One gram of nitrogen requires 15 grams of oxygen to decompose; One gram of phosphorus will deplete one hundred grams of oxygen Mississippi River drains in a 4,000 square mile bottom area Poisonous algae, cholera and countless plants and animals have invaded Coral, and by commercial harvesting for sale to tourists Cruise ship anchor dropped Nile River’s nutrient rich silt Overfishing Discard up to 20 billion pounds of non-target fish each year – twice the catch Construction in coastal areas Use one-third of the world’s processed mineral resources; about one-fourth of the world’s non-renewable energy sources Smithsonian Ocean Planet Exhibition


Current Aquaculture Affects the Ocean Fishery Best Practice Model: Current Aquaculture Affects the Ocean Fishery Best Practice Model Factors Influencing Consumer Buying Habits Gilnet/Longline/Aquaculture Poor/Good Fish House - Ship’s Agent Information Card


Issues & Answers: Issues & Answers Qualitative – Ocean and Coastal Farms Quantitative – Nutrient Loads Introduced Species Ocean Current Changes Fish Meal and Fish Oil Feed Lot Productivity Biodegradability of Feed Micronutrients in Feed as Pollutants (vitamins and minerals) Field Residues from Aquaculture Net Disturbance to Benthic Ecology Nitrate Accumulation U.S. Organic Standards Protection of Coastal Zones Establishment of Marine Protected Areas Improved Productivity by Cycling Use Areas


Slide15: AmbienteNews RENACE World Ocean Network Concrete Field Action Committee Members


Social Actors and Targets: Social Actors and Targets Consumers and Youths: “Moms and Kids” Fishermen Organizations Fish Suppliers/ Processors Food Sellers, including restaurants, food service and retailers Public Aquariums and Zoos Conservation Organizations Museums and Science Centers Government


Cartoon: Cartoon


World Ocean Network Stakeholders Recommendation: World Ocean Network Stakeholders Recommendation Eco-friendly advisories linked to Statewide Contamination Advisories Promotion of benefits of eating fish safely Sustainable Seafood consumption yields ecological benefits Where to get more information Distribution of Wallet Cards in Fish Markets and Supermarkets


2004 Goals of the Concrete Field Actions Committee: 2004 Goals of the Concrete Field Actions Committee Encouraging personal, non-polluting, non-endangering activities, through Passport Committee. Supporting institutions in their applied research and conservation activities. Supporting and initiating legislative actions for governmental protection and preservation campaigns. Promote ecosystem and fishery management conservation Promote sustainable use and management of riverine and aquarium fisheries (like the Marine Aquarium Council activities and Marine Stewardship Council) Promote better practices and organic standards and documentation for the seafood industry Promote the change in formulation in aquaculture and livestock feed, to lessen the need of fish oil and fish meal to decrease demand for drift net fisheries and decrease nitrogen effluent downstream and oceanic effects.


THANK YOU!: THANK YOU!