Why is sustainable seafood good for… developing countries?

Sustainable gear, transparent monitoring and community organisation. Overfishing was stopped.
T
here’s a premium for sustainable fish. So the fisherman and fisherwoman fish less, but earn more.

WWF’s Fishery Improvement Project on the Philippines stopped overfishing of our tuna. Now the stocks recover. The fisherman and fisherwoman fish less, but earn more. Thanks to those who are willing to pay a premium for sustainable fish.

Joann Pepino Binondo

Leader of the Philippinian Fisheries Improvement Project, WWF Philippines

Europe depends on seafood imports from developing countries

The European Union imports 50% of  the consumed seafood. More than the half of the imports comes from developing countries. Even countries traditionally eating the most seafood like Portugal, Spain or Greece, depend highly on seafood imports from developing countries.

developing countries depend on seafood exports

 

overfishing is a threat for everyone

Sustainable fishing and aquaculture is the only solution

 

3 facts on seafood and… developing countries

fact #1

  • 46% 46%
The EU self-sufficiency ratio for seafood equals 46% (2015). This means that more of the consumed fisheries and aquaculture products were imported from non-EU countries than supplied through EU catches or aquaculture production. [1]

fact #2

  • 98% 98%
98% of fisheries and aquaculture workers come from developing countries   [QUELLE? INFOGRAFIK PLEYL]

fact #3

Micronutrient deficiencies affect hundreds of millions, particularly women and children in the developing world. E.g. more than 250 million children worldwide are at risk of vitamin A deficiency. [3] More seafood in their diet could improve their health.

Ok, but what can I do?

Don’t support overfishing. Buy sustainable seafood!
The availability of fish is crutial for human health, economic-wellbeing and culture.

Marco Costantini

Marine Conservation Expert, WWF Mediterranean

Related articles

[1] FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2016. Rome. Page 13. http://www.fao.org/fishery/sofia/en