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Sectors

Fisheries

About this sector

The fishing industry is crucial to the world economy and food supplies. The fishing industry involves the wild capture and farming of fish, shellfish and other aquatic species, and the processing of these into food items or their sale for other purposes including the aquarium and ornamental trade. This section focuses on both the capture fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Impacts

  • Overfishing of target species.
  • By-catch of non-target species when unselective fishing methods are used.
  • Habitat destruction through destructive fishing practices and coastal development.
  • Impact on other resources through redirection of exploitative pressure.

Opportunities/Risks

  • New markets: consumers looking for sustainably produced or caught fish.
  • Security of Supply: Scarcity and increased cost of resources, reduced quotas and productivity.
  • Reputational risks: loss of biodiversity can lead to poor reputation with shareholders, investors, supply chain partners and consumers.

Case Studies


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Tools and Mechanisms


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Taskforce Biodiversity (Taskforce Biodiversiteit en Natuurlijke hulpbronnen)

Taskforce Biodiversity (Taskforce Biodiversiteit en Natuurlijke hulpbronnen)

http://en.biodiversiteit.nl/samenwerking-voor-biod...

This taskforce endeavors to identify specific, operationally focused questions related to the effects of sound generated by the offshore E & P industry on marine life.  It also promotes a research programme for the testing of scientific hypotheses and the production of data needed to address this issue.
Fish Friendly Farming

Fish Friendly Farming

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/

Fish Friendly Farming provides an incentive-based method for creating and sustaining environmental quality and habitat on private land. Landowners and managers enroll in the program, learn environmentally beneficial management practices and carry out ecological restoration projects. . Three resource agencies - the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the County Agricultural Commissioner - provide an objective third-party certification.
Code of conduct of responsible fisheries

Code of conduct of responsible fisheries

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/006/x3170e/X3170E00.p...

These Three International Plans of Action (IPOA) contain voluntary instruments focusing on capture fisheries, sharks, and sea birds.  These are:
  1. The IPOA for reducing incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries.
  2. The IPOA for the conservation and management of sharks.
  3. The IPOA for the management of fishing capacity.
Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Certification

Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Certification

http://www.aquaculturecertification.org/

The Global Aquaculture Alliance BAP standards is a primarily "process" certification system combining site inspections and effluent sampling with sanitary controls, therapeutic controls, and traceability. By implementing BAP standards, program participants can better meet the demands of the growing global market for seafood produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Successful participation in the BAP program is visually represented by the use of a BAP certification mark.
Marine Aquarium Council

Marine Aquarium Council

http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/news_main.aspx?MACI...

The Marine Aquarium Council was created in 1998 by key stakeholders to provide voluntary standards and an eco-labeling system for the marine aquarium trade. Since then, MAC has worked with fisheries, industry operators, and stakeholders to develop certification programs at 21 fisheries in the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, Hawaii, and the UK, covering over 400,000 hectares of waters, 50,000 hectares of reefs, and 1,000 hectares of no-take zones.

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Fisheries

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