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More Fish

Reforming Europe’s failing Fisheries Policy

For 30 years the Common Fisheries Policy – CFP – has been failing our seas and fishermen. It has resulted in the absurd situation that up to 50% of all the fish caught in Europe are thrown back into the sea, dead and iconic species are disappearing.

Now many European fishing boats concentrate their fishing efforts elsewhere, increasing the pressure on fish stocks globally. If this continues we will bankrupt our oceans and our fishing economy.

The final push

The good news is the broken policy behind this problem is being reviewed right now and there is growing support to change it. On 6th February 2013, a big step forward was taken towards the reform as the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to support it and WWF’s main solutions. But that was not the end!

Right now, a negotiation process is happening between the European Parliament and the 27 EU Fisheries Ministers to thrash out what the reform will be. We need them to approve ambitious proposals. Without their agreement, all of your hard work, including Parliament’s vote, will count for nothing. Time is running out and there is a real danger the reform process may stall.

We need your help. Take action to tell our minister that we need him to get on board.

Our solutions

Fisheries must be managed regionally, and under long-term plans
Fish stocks need to be built back to healthy levels that can support the largest sustainable catch by 2015
Stop the wasteful discarding of fish, whilst bringing unwanted catches close to zero by 2018 at the very latest
The same principles must apply to all European boats wherever they operate in the world
There needs to be a coherent set of rules - so fishermen only catch what’s needed when it’s needed

Keep an eye on the last strech of the campaign here...

Together, we've achieved so much! People-power is as strong as ever - see how people are trying to keep the pressure on and remind Fisheries Ministers that this is our one chance to stop bankrupting our oceans.