Oceans and Communities

The world’s oceans are in a state of decline. Populations of sea turtles, sharks and whales are remnant compared to historical accounts of abundance. Fisheries worldwide are also overfished or in states of collapse. The best example of how far fisheries have declined is the collapse of the Newfoundland cod fishery which is at 1/3rd of one percent of historical population estimates.

But descriptions of the health of the oceans need to extend beyond the traditional environmental considerations.

The oceans are also sources of food and livelihoods for 400 million people globally, and 50 of the 51 million fishers worldwide are either small-scale or artisanal.

For example in Papua New Guinea, subsistence harvesting is the most important component of the domestic fishery in terms of both volume and value with up to 500,000 people participating in the coastal subsistence fishery.

In general, small-scale fisheries are traditional fisheries involving fishing households, using relatively small fishing vessels, small amounts of capital and energy, and making short fishing trips from the shore. Globally, they produce about 50% of the world capture fisheries’ harvest used for human consumption thus contributing significantly to local food security.

The Case Against Industrial Fishing: A New Vision For the Seas is a unique book and multimedia project that addresses this intersection between the environment and people.

• First, it will describe and document the unsustainable consequences of our large-scale industrial fishing system, and promote an alternative ecological vision for fishing.
• Second, it will highlight the seldom discussed impacts of industrial fishing on coastal communities, human rights, and the economy.
• Third, it will include activist voices from those on the frontline battles to defend our oceans, rather than strictly presenting the points of views of academics and large NGOs.

Please make a donation to support the development of this important educational project.