Transforming Fisheries

HOW ARE WE TRANSFORMING FISHERIES?

Sharks should be caught sustainably or not at all. The key to this is to highlight differences between species, rather than similarities. 

For some sharks the only way forward is a complete ban on fishing. But for others, sustainable management should be possible. Positive change means advocating for policy reform, developing skills in the fishing industry and ensuring the enforcement of legislation and catch limits. 

Appropriate management can only happen if all sharks caught can be correctly identified and recorded. This is the driver behind our work to transform fisheries. 

There are some key steps in the transition to sustainability: 

• FINS ATTACHED: An enforced finning ban is a vital first step in the process.  All sharks caught should be brought to shore with their fins naturally attached to their bodies.
  
  
• IDENTIFICATION: Fishermen and fisheries managers need the tools and skills to correctly identify and record their catch.
  
  
• CATCH LIMITS: Unlimited and unmanaged fisheries by definition are not sustainable. Science-based catch limits must be applied to commercial catches. 
  
  
• CHAMPIONING SUSTAINABILITY: We need to link sustainably caught fish with responsible supply chains and reward responsible fisheries.

Find out more about how we're working to transform fisheries by clicking the links below: