| EU risks environmental credibility over fishing record |
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8 June 2011 | Press release Politicians warn of European embarrassment at next years Rio Earth Summit. Top Euro MPs will warn today that unless the EU delivers on its commitment to end overfishing in European waters by 2015, they will hold little credibility amongst the international community at the crucial Rio Earth Summit to be held next year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Members of Parliament from across the European Union will meet today at Selfridges on World Oceans Day to urge the EU Commission and European Government leaders to live up to their international commitments on the marine environment, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the original Earth Summit, the forum which gave rise to the United Nations World Oceans Day. At the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit, European leaders and the Commission committed to ensure that European fish stocks would be managed at sustainable levels by 2015. However all independent analysis suggests that Europe will miss this target unless drastic action is taken now. Speaking ahead of the meeting the Rt Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, President of the Global Legislators Organisation (GLOBE) and meeting organiser said: “As members of parliament and legislatures we have a responsibility to the public to hold governments to account for their commitments. If the EU is not seen to be delivering on perhaps the biggest priority for our oceans – an end to overfishing – we will severely weaken our position amongst the international community as leaders on the environment and arrive at Rio next year with little credibility.” The EU’s Common Fisheries Policy is reformed every 10 years, and the 2012 reform is viewed by conservationists as an opportunity to set a radical new sustainable path for Europe’s fisheries. But marine scientists fear that it is already too late for some stocks to meet the 2015 deadline. Prof. Jonathan Baillie, Director of Conservation at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and chief scientific advisor to GLOBE, said: “The EU’s fisheries are in a terrible state, with almost three quarters currently overfished. The only way Europe will meet its international commitments is by putting science ahead of politics.” He added: “With a struggling global economy, money is top of the political agenda. But fish could be the biggest losers if Europe’s crippled economies fail to put cod before cash when they set their quotas.” The European Council currently set annual fishing quotas on average 36% higher than the level recommend by their scientific commission during the annual horse-trading of fishing quotas amongst member states. The GLOBE Parliamentarians Oceans Forum will pull together representatives from the European Parliament with scientists, retailers and NGOs on World Oceans Day for a Forum with the Commissioner to thrash out the changes needed to preserve Europe’s fish stocks when the Common Fisheries Policy is reformed next year. James Thornton, CEO of ClientEarth, said: “This forum provides a timely opportunity to consider which policies will save our oceans. There are solutions to Europe’s overfishing crisis, but the politicians need to identify and implement them before it’s too late.” The forum will be hosted by Selfridges on June 8th at the close of Project Ocean, the luxury store’s four-week marine conservation initiative. Selfridges is collaborating with conservationists to use its unique position in the marketplace to increase awareness, inspire changed consumer habits and raise funds. Ends Editor's notes: The GLOBE Parliamentarians Oceans Forum on Reforming Europe’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) will be held from 9am on June 8th 2011 in Selfridges’ Ultralounge. The Forum will be formally opened by Her Royal Highness Queen Noor of Jordan. A full agenda and list of attendees can be obtained from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (020 7449 6280) Press are welcome to attend the Forum between 9am and 11.45am. For more information on Project Ocean visit www.selfridges.com/projectocean Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research at the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in more than 80 countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org |
