Industrial fishing in the spotlight – new Greenpeace report

Greenpeace report lifts lid on industrial fishing ahead of major UN ocean conference

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As governments meet at the UN to discuss the fate of the world’s oceans[1], a new Greenpeace International report lifts the lid on a rapidly growing and largely unregulated squid fishing industry[2].

The report, Squids in the Spotlight, uncovers the vast scale of the global squid fishery, which has grown over 10-fold since 1950 to almost 5 million tonnes annually in the last decade. This industrial fishery is jeopardising marine ecosystems around the world.

Current demand for the species has no historical precedent, with some areas experiencing an 800% increase in the number of active squid fishing vessels in just the last five years. Armadas of over 500 vessels have descended on the borders of national waters to plunder the ocean, with the collective lights of these armadas visible from space[3].

Campaigners are calling for a strong Global Ocean Treaty, which could prevent similar situations in future and will be crucial to stopping future fisheries from expanding with restrictions.

Will McCallum of Greenpeace’s Protect the Oceans campaign said:

“I’ve seen some of these squid fleets out on the open ocean – at night the vessels are lit up like football stadiums and it looks like the sea is a mass of industry. Our oceans are being industrialised: beyond national waters it’s often a free-for-all. The lack of control over the huge and growing squid fisheries worldwide is a glaring example of why the current rules to protect the oceans are failing.

“This ocean conference is too important to be a talking shop: we need urgent action to protect the biggest ecosystem on Earth. We all rely on the oceans whether we know it or not: to help tackle climate change, ensure healthy ecosystems and to ensure food security and livelihoods for millions around the world. We urgently need a strong Global Ocean Treaty that allows us to create a network of ocean sanctuaries around the world and put the brakes on the expanding industrialisation of our global commons.”

Squid are a vital species. As both predator and prey, they sustain entire food webs, meaning declining populations will have catastrophic consequences for ocean wildlife and coastal communities that depend on fishing for their livelihoods and food security. However, most squid fisheries remain almost entirely unregulated, with fishing vessels operating with little scrutiny or monitoring of their catch.

There is currently no specific regulatory or monitoring system in place to monitor the global squid trade. In 2019, just three nations were responsible for 60% of the global squid catch.

Governments are meeting from today to negotiate towards a Global Ocean Treaty for international waters, which cover almost half of the planet (43%). Almost 5 million people have backed Greenpeace’s campaign for a treaty, and for the creation of a network of ocean sanctuaries – areas free from harmful human activity – across at least a third of the world’s oceans by 2030.

ENDS.

 

Notes to editors

For photo and video, see here: https://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MDHUHDSRCO

[1] Governments meet from Monday 7 March – Friday 18 March at the UN to discuss the so-called Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Scientists and campaigners are calling for a historic agreement to protect international waters: a Global Ocean Treaty. If done properly, this would create the legal framework for the creation of highly or fully protected Marine Protected Areas (or ocean sanctuaries) across at least a third of the planet by 2030 (30×30) – something scientists say is essential to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and protect vulnerable species. Over 100 governments and 5 million people worldwide have backed the 30×30 vision.

[2] See the full report here: Squids in the Spotlight: Unregulated squid fisheries are headed for disaster

[3] The Argentinian government identified 546 foreign vessels operating off its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during the 2020-21 fishing season. The concentration of squid jiggers was so substantial that at night, the lights onboard the vessels rendered the border of the Argentinean EEZ clearly visible from space.

[4] Will McCallum is head of oceans at Greenpeace UK

Contact: 

For interviews and further comment, please contact:

Luke Massey, luke.massey@greenpeace.org, +44 7411 380 840

Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or 07801 212 960

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