During my time as an oceans campaigner at Greenpeace, I’ve sat in a tiny boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean, watching a fishing boat pull in miles of drift nets. The nets were full of tuna, but there were also dead spinner dolphins, manta rays, thresher sharks and more – a grim demonstration of devastation at sea. I’ve been right up close with some of the biggest fishing … [Read more...]
Bluefin tuna on the brink of extinction
Pacific bluefin tuna has unique worldwide status as one of the most awe-inspiring remarkable creatures on the planet. They grow to 12 feet and 1,500 pounds and live up to 35 years whilst swimming super-fast, crossing the entire ocean in 21 days. They are the essence of nature’s wonderful creativity and beauty. Unequivocally, the bluefin’s days are numbered, almost guaranteed … [Read more...]
What does Greenpeace’s tuna triumph mean for our oceans?
It took two years of relentless campaigning and nearly 700,000 concerned people from around the world, but Greenpeace have finally convinced the world’s largest tuna company to clean up its act! Tuna giant Thai Union, which owns brands such as John West, Chicken of the Sea, Petit Navire, Mareblu, and Sealect, has committed to a series of changes to its business that will … [Read more...]
Help save our tuna
Tuna is in trouble. It's is one of the world’s favourite fish, and the staple protein of millions, but it is overfished globally. The statistics are grim: 3/4 of the world's fish stocks are being harvested faster than they can reproduce. Ninety percent of all large predatory fish – including tuna, sharks, swordfish, cod and halibut – are gone. Scientists predict that if … [Read more...]
The terrible tale of tuna
Are the words “dolphin-friendly” or “dolphin-safe” on local tuna cans truthful, considering that most of our canned tuna seems to be imported from the Philippines, or Thailand? This is also where it is very common for dolphins to get caught up in tuna fishing nets and subsequently killed. This is the issue I tried to clear up with some research. Some fishermen purposely … [Read more...]
Marine sanctuaries begging to happen
Could we ever fully appreciate and value the essential role which the oceans play in our world’s ecology and the future health of our planet? Most of us suffer from what is called ‘sea blindness’ - not understanding the role of our seas. I had the privilege to experience a passionate talk by THE Sea Mother, also known as Her Deepness, Dr. Sylvia Earle at the launch of the … [Read more...]
Australian tuna giant cans destructive fishing
John West, one of Australia’s leading canned fish manufacturers, has pledged to stop using destructive fishing methods that needlessly kill sharks, rays, baby tuna and turtles. The commitment means that John West will phase out the use of highly destructive and wasteful Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) used with purse seine nets by 2015. “John West has joined the growing … [Read more...]
Illegal fishing in Mozambican waters robs people
Foreign fishing vessels are stealing fish from the Indian Ocean, and depriving local communities of their livelihood. The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior ended on Monday its two-week cooperation with the Mozambican Ministry of Fisheries. The organisation had been patrolling the country’s waters and facilitating inspections of foreign fishing vessels that mainly target … [Read more...]
Making sustainable seafood choices for the planet
"The maximum potential from the world's oceans ... has probably been reached." So reads the 2008 FAO World Fisheries Report. 76% of the world's ocean fish stocks, including South African line fish, are exploited at or above sustainable levels. Often stock don't recover even after years of protection. Red, orange, green. In South Africa the Southern African Sustainable … [Read more...]
