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https://theconversation.com/governments-spend-us-22-billion-a-year-helping-the-fishing-industry-empty-our-oceans-this-injustice-must-end-222511>
"Overfishing has dire consequences for ocean health and for the millions of
people who depend on fish for food and wellbeing. Globally, catch has been
steadily declining since the 1990s. It’s a trend that’s likely to continue if
we fail to act now.
Nearly all governments, including Australia’s, subsidise their fishing
industries. Financial support comes in many forms, from taxpayer-funded fuel to
reduced boat-building costs. These subsidies are harmful because they encourage
overfishing. Some of the most environmentally damaging and least efficient
fishing activities, such as bottom trawling and distant water fishing, would
become unprofitable and cease without government subsidies.
Scientists worldwide are rallying for stringent regulations to eliminate
harmful fisheries subsidies, which totalled a whopping US$22 billion in 2018.
Safeguarding the ocean will strengthen food security and allow more equitable
distribution of marine resources.
Trade ministers from around the world are set to convene later this month in
Abu Dhabi at a key meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In an open
letter published today, we are among 36 marine experts calling on the WTO to
adopt ambitious regulations promoting fisheries sustainability and equity, and
to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
