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Fisheries Home » Feature Stories » 2012

United States and European Union Share Vision for Sustainable World Fisheries


School of bluefin tuna. Three species of bluefin tuna are 
found around the world—Northern, Southern, and Pacific. The Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, is regarded as 
one of the most prized species in the ocean. Read more...


Maria Damanaki and Dr. Lubchenco addressing the European Union Parliament on May 30, 2012 in Brussels, Belgium.

 

The North Atlantic swordfish stock was successfully rebuilt to sustainable levels following a 10 year international rebuilding program adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).  Read more... 


 

May 30, 2012

Fish swim beyond national boundaries. Because fish are a shared resource, the long-term sustainability of the world’s fisheries can only be achieved through effective international cooperation.  

In support of this goal, NOAA seeks to ensure that management of global fish stocks is science-based, that U.S. commercial and recreational fishermen have equitable access to these fisheries, and that a steady supply of safe, legal, and sustainable seafood is available to meet consumer demand into the future.

The United States and the European Union have outlined a similar vision for fisheries reform in the global arena—one that will provide for ecological and economic stability. To advance this vision, Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA administrator, will participate in a series of events in Brussels from May 30 – June 1, 2012.  

EU Media Advisory 5/29/2012: EU/US Cooperation Against Illegal
Fishing Worldwide
Joint Statement 5/30/2012: US/EU Opening Joint Statement

European Union Parliament

As two of the world’s largest harvesters of seafood and two of the largest importers, the United States and the European Union seek to assure consumers that their seafood, whether domestically produced or imported, has been legally and sustainably harvested. The E.U. and the U.S. have committed to domestic actions to end overfishing and rebuild depleted stocks through a variety of innovative management approaches and will continue to strengthen regional partnerships to advance these goals for international fisheries. Read Dr. Lubchenco's remarks...

US/EU Cooperation in Research Activities

NOAA and the EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) signed an Implementation Arrangement to guide cooperation in key research activities aligned with NOAA’s mission, including climate, weather, oceans, and coasts.  NOAA Fisheries and JRC plan to hold a symposium on fisheries monitoring and assessment challenges and opportunities in 2014. Read more...

Conference of the World’s Regional Fisheries Management Organizations

Fishing nations meet regularly to debate and adopt conservation measures through the world’s Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). On June 1, leaders of the RFMOs will convene to discuss best practices and approaches to sustainable fisheries management, healthy ecosystems, steady global food supplies, and thriving coastal communities. Read Dr. Lubchenco's remarks...

Leveling the Playing Field—NOAA’s Plan to Combat Illegal Fishing in 2012

U.S. fishermen operate in some of the most sustainably managed and well- regulated fisheries in the world. The practice of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in international waters undermines fishermen who operate legally and threatens the health and future profitability of fisheries by destroying habitats that fisheries need to flourish. Through global engagement, collaboration, and cooperation, NOAA is working to level the playing field for U.S. fishermen. Read more... 

 

“We are grateful for the strong partnerships that we have developed with the European Union and others to strengthen the scientific, management, and compliance activities of these organizations. We call upon all of our fellow Regional Fisheries Management Organization members to unite in support of a long-term vision of international fisheries—global fisheries that are well-managed, sustainable sources of fishing, food, and jobs for many years to come.”

- Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere & NOAA Administrator

Related Stories:

U.S. Fisheries Management: Lessons from a 35-Year Journey 


Eric Schwaab traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to address the 6th World Fisheries Congress.

At the 2012 World Fisheries Congress, Eric Schwaab highlighted the need for sustainable wild capture fisheries and marine aquaculture to meet a growing global demand for seafood.  Schwaab shared the U.S. experience in ending overfishing by setting science-based catch limits and accountability measures. More...


Kobe III Meeting
 


Dr. Lubchenco meeting delegates at Kobe III. 

The Kobe III meeting brings together all five regional tuna fisheries management organizations from the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans and adjacent seas. These international organizations are charged with coordinating scientific research and developing conservation and management measures for highly migratory species, including tunas, swordfish, billfish and some sharks.  The organizations also take action to adopt measures to protect bycatch species such as sea turtles and seabirds.  More...

 

Illegal Fishing: Not in Our Ports
 


Catching under-sized fish off the coast of Gabon. IUU fishing, by its very nature, can jeopardize and undermine conservation and management efforts for sustainable fisheries.

Illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing, commonly referred to as “IUU fishing,” is a global problem that threatens ocean ecosystems and sustainable fisheries. The United States and the European Union, and nations around the world are taking action to fight IUU fishing, and to block IUU vessels from landing seafood products in our ports. More...