Josh Fink Comments On New Information Regarding Illegal Fishing

NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- A new article from The Huffington Post discusses the danger of unstable fishing practices as it relates to preserving the health of the fishing industry as a whole. Global fisheries supply food and employment to people all over the world, but unethical fishing practices have jeopardized the future of this industry. Fisherman Josh Fink speaks about the importance of establishing sustainable fishing practices.

The article notes that in 2010, fisheries and aquaculture gave the world about 140 million tons of fish that were valued at $217.5B. However, unsanctioned fishing practices have put this once robust industry in danger. Because other nations share oceans, and fish swim across national boundaries, it is becoming more and more important that the fishing industry in all countries is subject to international cooperation.

Josh Fink explains, "In order for people all over the world to enjoy fishing and the products of this business, nations must agree on standards and practices to promote sustainability in the industry. Without these regulations, the health of fisheries is severely impacted and overfishing can decimate populations."

One example of a strong national partnership is the one that exists between the United States and the European Union. The two groups work together to promote sustainable management practices within global fisheries. In order to do this, mechanisms that collect information about the health of the fisheries become necessary. The article notes that global partners must work together to end overfishing. Action is needed so that fishing becomes sustainable and healthy for all. To make this happen, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing must come to an end.

To date, illegal fishing practices rob local fishermen and costal communities of roughly $10-23B annually. These actions create unfair competition for individuals who legally harvest seafood.

Progress, though slow, is being made to end illegal fishing practices. In September of 2011, the European Union and the United States joined together to fight IUU fishing. The parties agreed that joining forces would allow for greater success in combating unsustainable fishing practices, thus supporting marine conservation and legal fisheries.

One of the ways in which the European Union and the United States have attempted to discourage IUU fishing is by denying IUU vessels and their catch access to the marketplace. This helps to stop products from illegally harvested fisheries from entering the global seafood supply chain, thus diminishing the competitive advantage that illegal fishermen have over law-abiding groups.

Josh Fink offered his thoughts on these actions. "It's important that world powers take a firm stance against IUU fishing, in order to further discourage this behavior and illustrate that it will not be tolerated. This helps to protect those who fish legally and struggle to make a living while competing with those who use illegal means to survive."

ABOUT:

Josh Fink is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, and canoeing with his children. As a youth, he was an avid mountain climber and is proud to have scaled such peaks as Mount Everest and Kilimanjaro.

Media Contact:

Dale Stith Mark-PR.com, (678) 685-8304, [email protected]

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Josh Fink