Illegal Fishing Stripping Oceans of Cod and Pollock

Illegal Fishing Stripping Oceans of Cod and Pollock

April 2008  - Illegal fishing for Atlantic 
cod and Alaska pollock in the Arctic threatens the health of these 
fisheries and their resilience to climate change, but it is so profitable 
that it is pervasive across the region, according to a new report by the 
global conservation organization WWF. 
According to Norwegian government figures, more than 100,000 metric tonnes 
of illegal cod, valued at €225 million ($US350 million), was caught in the 
Barents Sea in 2005. 
"Illegal fishing in the Arctic is a serious transnational crime crossing 
European, African, Asian and American borders," said Dr. Neil Hamilton, 
director of WWF International's Arctic Programme. "Cheats are putting 
short-term profits ahead of the long-term survival of Arctic fisheries." 
About 70 percent of the world's white fish supply comes from the Arctic, 
with the world's last large cod stock found in the Barents Sea, WWF says. 
The Russian Alaska pollock and Barents Sea cod catches analyzed in the 
report together account for about a quarter of the world's white fish 
supply. 

Efforts by industry, governments and nongovernmental organizations has 
resulted in a 50 percent cut in illegal landings, WWF says, while warning 
that illegal fishing for Alaska pollock in the Russian Far East remains a 
problem. 
The new report, "Illegal Fishing in Arctic Waters," shows that in the Sea 
of Okhotsk alone, illegal landings of Alaska pollock can reach a value of 
more than €45 million ($US70 million) annually. 
The economic loss to the legitimate fishing industry and public purse is 
estimated at €210 million ($US327 million). 
Barents Sea cod is taken mainly by Norwegian, Russian and European Union 
fishers, while the bulk of the Alaska pollock catch, fished mainly in the 
Western Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk, is taken by Russian fleets with 
China the largest buyer. 
With markets spread across the globe, the distribution of black market cod 
and pollock is an international problem. 
"If you're enjoying bacalhau in Brazil, fish and chips in the UK, or 
frozen fillets in Germany you could be unwittingly supporting black-market 
cod," said Maren Esmark, marine director at WWF-Norway. 
"Progress in tackling illegal fishing for cod in the Barents Sea should be 
applauded," said Esmark, "but the positive trend may not continue as 
illegal products can find new ways to international markets." 
WWF is concerned about the ability of Arctic fish to cope with climate 
change, with illegal fishing being an added stress that can reduce the 
capacity of fish populations to adapt and survive. 
WWF is also alarmed that several EU member states are opposing the current 
European Commission proposal to address illegal fishing, and the EU risks 
losing a key opportunity to tackle this problem. 
"We urge all EU countries to support the commission's proposal to deal 
with illegal fishing, and appeal to processors, retailers and consumers to 
not support criminality in fishing," said Esmark. "Companies should not 
trade with vessels known to fish illegally, and consumers should demand 
the seafood they buy comes from a sustainable, legal source." 
On March 29, the European Commission reorganized the Directorate-General 
in charge of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, now known as DG MARE. There 
will be greater focus on control in international waters in line with the 
EU's commitment to fight illegal fishing, said Joe Borg, commissioner for 
maritime affairs and fisheries.
 
Commission President José Manuel Barroso commented, "The new set-up in DG 
MARE highlights the Commission's determination to conduct an integrated 
and tailor-made maritime policy. It will allow the Commission to address 
in a consistent way all the issues pertaining to each of Europe's main 
maritime regions and to the seas in general."

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