Stewardship Tip Feb 10th, 2009- IUU
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing can have a significant impact on a fishery. According to the WWF, South Africa lost $290 million since the 1990s to toothfish poachers alone. Legitimate toothfish fishing has been wiped out.
In order to evade limits, seasons, and regulations, boats will register with, and fly the flag of, a state who is not a party to international agreements. Fishing under these flags of convenience, IUU fishers have been know to enter waters illegally, fill their holds with with excessive numbers of fish, and fish with tackle that damages local ecosystems. The ultimate problem with IUU fishing is undocumented over-exploitation of a resource.
Know the source: To combat IUU fishing, a growing number of fisheries, supply chains, and restaurants are becoming certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. The MSC uses rigorous methods to certify that a fishery is sustainable. The MSC also provides resources for finding certified fisheries and suppliers. Seafood that comes from an certified fishery will display the MSC label and provides assurance to the consumer that the product came from a sustainable resource. If your grocer does not stock MSC certified seafood, let her or him know that sustainable fisheries not only provide jobs now and in the future, it also means that we will have sportfishing opporutunites for many generations.
Why it is important to the fish: IUU fishing can come home to roost on local fisheries. In Maryland, recently, five commercial fishermen and a fish wholesaler were charged for their role in the illegal harvest, sale, and purchase of hundreds of thousands of pounds of striped bass from the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River from 2003 through 2007.
When a fishery is over-exploited, it can be rendered unproductive. Jobs, along with fish, disappear. If a portion of the economy relies on sportfishing, those jobs disappear as well. Its not just “more and bigger fish.” It is peoples lives.
Help to combat IUU, look for MSC certified seafood at your grocer; let your suppliers know that sustainable populations of fish are important to everybody.
This week’s sponsor-partner: Ice Team
There is still some hard water and the Ice Team knows that the ice is our playground. The Ice Team has articles, audio, video, and Power Stick tips on their website. The Clam Corporation, Strikemaster Augers, Vexilar, Lindy and other leading brands in ice fishing make up the Ice Team.
The Ice Team’s partnership makes this week’s “Stewardship Tip” possible.
Rising demand for our weekly Stewardship Tip and a new partnership with Fly Cast America now makes the Stewardship Tip available in Spanish. Ahora, reciba el Stewardship Tip en español. Gentileza de Fly Cast America.
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