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Europe

Fishing net

Reforming the Common Fisheries Policy

The European Common Fisheries Policy is being reformed over the next couple of years. It's a vital time for the fishing industry in Europe – and for the future of our seas. We are campaigning with governments, businesses, other environmental organisations and the general public to secure the best deal for the health of our seas through our More Fish Campaign.

Fishing boat off the coast of Cornwall

Sustainable fisheries

Some fishing practices have become a major threat to the health of our oceans, destroying or altering the physical environment and changing the habitat where marine animals live. The current crisis facing worldwide fish stocks, and increasing reports of the impacts of fishing activities on the wider marine environment, have heightened consumer concerns and raised issues about the fish we eat.

Scampi © WWF-Canon / Edward PARKER

Sustainable seafood

As the global population continues to increase, demand for seafood is growing rapidly. Consumers can make a difference to the way our fish stocks are managed. By only choosing fish from healthy, responsibly managed sources, you can help drive the market towards sustainable seafood.

Atlantic salmon aquaculture (Salmo salar), east coast of Canada

Aquaculture

Aquaculture is an important industry in the UK, and is the fastest growing food production system in the world. We are starting to see farmed fish and shellfish appearing on retailers’ shelves and in restaurants more often now. However, the impacts from aquaculture can have an effect on nearby marine environments.

Bycatch on fishing vessel

Sustainable solutions

WWF-UK is calling for a variety of actions in order to reduce the impacts from fishing activities on the marine environment in the UK and Europe. We want to see the wasting of fish greatly reduced.

How you can help

Related links

Marine Update 60 - Fisheries MPAs

Latest news

Progress in Ireland's Marine Policy

Our Ocean Wealth - Towards an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland

Environment minister Richard Benyon on western gray whales

Richard Benyon, UK minister for the natural environment and fisheries, has backed our call to help protect the critically endangered western gray whale. There may be fewer than 130 of them left, and maybe only 26 breeding females. The whales' key summer feeding habitat is off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East - unfortunately the site chosen for one of the world’s biggest offshore oil and gas developments.

Young lion

WWF Annual Review 2011 - a very memorable year

Don’t miss our attention-grabbing review of 2011 - a special and exciting year for WWF, being our 50th anniversary. It's online now...