Sustainable fishing: techniques to use and those to avoid

SUSTAINABLE FISHING

(Almost) all of us enjoy fishing. And fish , with its countless species, is still at the center of our food system. Rightfully so. Because it's a food that not only nourishes us, and provides us with good health, but also offers a series of benefits for our well-being, as we've discussed on several occasions on the Non sprecare website.

This premise alone should convince us, without too much pseudo-scientific debate, that sustainability in the fishing sector (a global market worth $140 billion, employing millions of men and women) is vital. Simply essential, for our present and future.

READ ALSO: Electric fishing, Europe finally buries it. A battle won, but more work to be done.

FISH IN ENDANGER

Sustainable fishing doesn't require much categorization. It rests, in fact, on a few basic but irreplaceable pillars . These should be considered every time we, as residents of our shared home, monitor those who fish for economic reasons; or eat fish; and, finally, when we ourselves take on the role of fishermen.

The first cornerstone is to prevent the disappearance of fish . Leave as many as we need in the sea, and then entrust them to our care and the eternal laws of nature, as many as are fully entitled to life and protection. Second cornerstone : in addition to fish, the natural environment (habitat) of fish and marine fauna and flora in general must be respected , without obsession but only with common sense and responsibility. In other words, fishing, any fishing, from individual to industrial, must never have a devastating environmental impact. Third cornerstone : sustainable fishing is effective, profitable, and valuable for those who make a living from it, but it can never, for any reason, go beyond the bounds of laws and environmental circumstances, which may also evolve. To be clear: if a specific fish species is declining, or even at risk of extinction, not only must it be protected , but it must also be ensured that it returns to its former growth. And all this is more possible today than it was yesterday, thanks in part to technological advances that support sustainable fishing. As long as there is good faith on the part of humanity, inspired by sustainability, understood in a broad sense, as enshrined in the 17 points of the UN Agenda , which also mentions sustainable fishing.

Twelve percent of the world's population lives off fishing; this is why the goal today is to prevent the extinction of important fish species , while maintaining adequate supplies for our diet (three billion people rely on fish and shellfish as their main source of protein). The demand for final products is constantly growing; in 2017 , each Italian consumed 25 kg of fish , even a small percentage compared to the 54 kg consumed by the Portuguese.

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

The European Union currently has a Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which provides rules for the management of European fishing fleets and fish stocks . The EU has set itself the goal of achieving sustainable catch volumes by 2020, ensuring the conservation of stocks.

OVERFISHING

Frantic fishing rates, aimed at satisfying and stimulating demand, pose a constant threat to the existence of certain species, such as the Pacific bluefin tuna, which is at the center of international concern over the excessive use of its meat in the restaurant industry. Japan alone accounts for a quarter of the world's tuna catch. To satisfy the market, fishing rates exceed the reproductive capacity of various species, dramatically accelerating the risk of extinction. This phenomenon is commonly known as overfishing : a systematic assault on marine life that must be stopped. In the United States, an initial response has been achieved through strict regulations that only allow tuna to be caught if they exceed 185 centimeters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: The sea belongs to all of us. And a few simple actions are all it takes to protect it. Read the story in this book.

READ MORE: The harbour porpoise, the world's smallest dolphin, is disappearing. Blame it on illegal fishing (photo)

FISH SPECIES AT RISK OF EXTINCTION

Another species at serious risk of extinction is the Caspian Sea beluga sturgeon , whose eggs provide approximately 90% of the caviar consumed worldwide. If adequate reproductive cycles are not ensured, this magnificent creature could soon disappear.

But overfishing isn't the only problem. There's also the long-standing issue of illegal fishing, which is rampant in our Mediterranean. Any activity that doesn't respect the quantitative limits set by international laws and agreements, or any activity that involves fish that, due to their size or age, shouldn't be caught, is illegal.

FISHING METHODS

There are two ways to change things: first, avoid wasting food on our tables ; much of the catch is not consumed within a reasonable time and becomes unusable. We must therefore start with better eating habits, evaluating the amount of fish we actually need for our meals.

The second approach concerns actual fishing methods . Traditional good practices are sustainable: fishing only during certain periods of the year , taking lunar cycles and the presence of different fish populations as a guide. Avoiding fishing in areas where it is prohibited by law and protecting entire ecosystems (every year, countless dolphins, for example, fall prey to traps set by unscrupulous fishermen ).

SUSTAINABLE FISHING TECHNIQUES

Today we are moving in the direction of rediscovering and valorizing some techniques that take marine fauna into account : fishing with lobster pots (a tool that is lowered into the sea and allows for the release of specimens caught by mistake or "undersized" while still alive) and the purse seine (which captures fish attracted by a strong light source – the lampara – allowing for selection of prey).

TRAWLING FISHING

LEARN MORE: Responsible consumption, we reject small fish, they were caught illegally (photo)

HOW TO RESPECT MARINE FAUNA

A case study of sustainable fishing, which has had a notable social and media impact, comes from distant Madagascar , where the fishing community of the village of Andavadoaka, supported by the British social enterprise “Blue Ventures”, has implemented good practices to safeguard local fish populations, while still fueling a thriving market in the sector.

Thanks to a shared commitment, it was possible to preserve the local octopus , the true “treasure of Andavadoaka” which was at risk of extinction.

A large marine area was set aside for the growth of octopuses, which were not fishable until they were six months old. This eliminated illegal fishing, which targeted the very young cephalopod. By ensuring and monitoring octopus growth, it was possible to harvest fewer specimens without affecting the overall quantity of product sold on the market. This best practice offers the world a vision of fishing aimed at avoiding waste and respecting marine life.

FISH SLOWLY

THE STORIES OF THOSE FIGHTING TO SAVE OUR SEAS:

• Ocean pollution: Slat launches its platforms to eliminate plastic. The Ocean Cleanup project (photos and video)
• Farah: The Labrador Retriever Picks Up Plastic on the Beach to Expose Human Incivility (Photos and Video)
• Beach patrol officers recruited through crowdfunding. They're fighting illegal activities and stopping those who pollute the sea.
  Cigarettes on the beach, this is how Paola collects thousands of butts every day. Let's do the same!
• Retired Ulisse on the beach in Sardinia: he blocks uncivilized people and collects waste (photos and video)