Common Fisheries Policy: Broken and Corrupt
by Ariana Densham, oceans campaigner
It is not very widely known that an astonishing 72 per cent of all European fish stocks are overfished. It is also not widely known, that unless we radically change the way our fisheries are managed, we will eventually lose one fish stock after another. If we continue on this path your local chippy may have jelly fish and chips at the top of the menu in the not too distant future and the 'fisherman' might have become an endangered species.
Why might this happen? Because the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is broken, corrupt and no longer fit for purpose. The CFP is a set of European laws and rules that govern fishing activities - how we fish, how much we take out of the sea, where we can fish and for how long. Every 10 years the policy gets reformed and the next round will be completed by 1st Jan 2013. Throughout Europe, campaigning for radical, effective reform of the CFP is a priority for Greenpeace. Watch out for the next chapter in the CFP campaign in the coming weeks. You won't believe your eyes.
We will be focusing on the biggest challenge to reform of the CFP - Spain. It receives the largest portion of fishing subsidies - over 1 billion Euros - which helps it to maintain its fishing fleet, the biggest in Europe. Spain has been able to hijack the CFP for many years to ensure it makes the most out of fish and fishing, at the expense of sustainable fish stocks and healthy marine ecosystems.
In the meantime, many thanks to all of you who have been getting the public to draw sketches and cartoons, compose poems and limericks telling David Cameron why and how he should reform the CFP. There are some really creative personal messages. Please continue this work and send the completed letters through to Ocean Action at Canonbury Villas.
Calling all Film Makers
by Richard George, climate campaigner
Are you a dab hand with a video camera? We need your help to turn the cameras on Volkswagen.
Volkswagen says it wants to be the most eco-friendly car manufacturer in the world. But it's spending millions trying to stop laws to make cars more efficient and cut climate change emissions. In September, Greenpeace is running a film challenge. For two weeks, 17 September - 1 October, you will have the opportunity to make a one minute film exposing what VW is up to.
The best films will be screened at a special event at the Curzon Soho in central London. They'll be seen by thousands of people around the world and be a key part of our climate campaign. We have a prestigious panel of judges, and if your film is their favourite you will be awarded a £5,000 budget to make Greenpeace's next campaign movie.
Want more info? The competition brief will be available on the launch date, 17 September, at www.greenpeace.org.uk/filmcompetition. If you're in London, then please join us for the launch event at 10 am on 17 September at the Curzon Soho.
Barbie Update
by Ian Duff, forest campaigner
It's been a while since we've been able to let you know about the latest developments in our Barbie campaign but thanks to your help we are making progress.
As you know, Lego has announced plans to source only recycled and FSC products for their paper and packaging use. Mattel, Hasbro and Disney have all stated they will take steps to remove deforestation in their supply chains, but they still have work to do - after all, deeds matter more than words. We'll be making sure that more substantial action comes soon and we will keep you posted as soon as we have more news.
Meanwhile, it's been a tough few weeks for Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), the company causing so much deforestation in Indonesia and which is putting endangered animals such as the Sumatran tiger at even greater risk of extinction. Read our latest blogs about how APP is feeling the Antipodean heat down-under where retailers in New Zealand and Australia are walking away from APP and their rainforest fibre toilet roll!
Greenpeace/active blogging competition - with prizes
From Sept 1st to the 30th, we will be running a competition for the best blogs on the Greenpeace Get Active website. For each category the prize will be a choice of limited edition Greenpeace forests campaign t-shirts.
If you're active with a local network, then please get in touch with your network coordinator and write a blog. If you're not yet active, but would like to enter then please email Richard.
The competition rules are here.
Skillshares
London, Saturday 1st October for active supporters and people interested in getting active in London and the South-East. Contact Rachael for more information.
York, Saturday 15th October for Network Co-ordinators in Yorkshire and the North East. Contact Malcolm.
Birmingham, Saturday 22nd October for Network Co-ordinators in the Midlands and Wales. Contact Malcolm.
NVDA training
If you would like to get involved in Greenpeace's nonviolent direct actions, you need to attend a one-day basic training which provides an opportunity, through discussion and practical exercises, to explore nonviolence, a Greenpeace core value. It covers various concepts, basic techniques and behaviours but does not cover handling equipment or more advanced NVDA techniques. The different types of actions, how to behave when arrested and Greenpeace support systems for volunteers are all explained.
You can download an application form from the website or contact your local network coordinator to find out more. There will be training days in Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and London during the autumn.
Thank you. We couldn't do it without you.
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