Some methods of fishing are less harmful to the environment compared to others.

Collateral impact

The gear used when fishing can cause unintentional or incidental damage to the seafloor or to marine wildlife. Some fishing practices can even cause irreversible harm to the environment and destroy important marine habitats. Others might have bycatch of marine wildlife and can bring species at the brink of extinction, as it´s the case for the vaquita. The vaquita is now the world’s rarest marine mammal. [1]

Innovative solutions and marine protected areas

New innovative and affordable solutions for fishing gear that reduce the impact on marine biodiversity and ecosystems are therefore important to support healthy oceans. Marine protected areas that are well planned and fully implemented are important to provide refuge for marine species and support healthy fish stocks.

Including small scale fishermen and women in developing countries in planning for and implementation of sustainable fisheries management and co-management is a promising way forward, too.