Sustainable Fishing
Overfishing is decimating our oceans, pushing marine species to the brink of extinction and disrupting delicate ecosystems that are vital for ocean health.
Tell the newly elected government to turn the treaty into law within the first 100 days and set a powerful global example for marine conservation.
Sign petitionThe problem
Industrial fishing practices, driven by insatiable global demand, are emptying our seas at an unsustainable rate, stripping away biodiversity and threatening the livelihoods of millions who rely on these waters for food and income.
The relentless pursuit of fish has led to advanced fishing techniques that locate and harvest fish faster than they can reproduce. It inevitably leads to non-target species being killed, like dolphins, turtles and seabirds – this is called by-catch.
Poor and unsustainable fishing practices destroy critical habitats such as coral reefs and mangroves that are essential not only for marine life but also for the health of our planet, acting as carbon sinks that mitigate the effects of climate change.
It undermines the food security of coastal communities around the world, many of which depend on fish as a primary source of protein, pushing these these communities into economic hardship, poverty and environmental degradation.
What can be done
Greenpeace supports any organisation making genuine commitments to improve their environmental performance. But it is important to be able to see through the greenwash in any industry, including the canned tuna industry.
It’s encouraging to see ever-increasing demands for products or services that don’t come with environmental consequences. Since we launched our first Canned Tuna Guide in 2009, thousands of Australians have written to tuna companies demanding they switch to sustainably caught tuna. And they’re listening. In 2017, we had a huge breakthrough which ended destructive fishing practises in the Australian tuna market. Thanks to the efforts of our amazing supporters, all major Australian canned tuna brands are now FAD-free!
Learn more about sustainable fishing
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Report: From Commitment to Action – Achieving the 30×30 target through the Global Ocean Treaty
In 2022, the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.…
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Report: How the Global Ocean Treaty can help repair high seas mismanagement
This report explores how Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) have not met their mandate for sustainably managing the impacts of fishing activity on biodiversity in international waters. It then sets out how the recently won Global Ocean Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) can remedy this systematic mismanagement of biodiversity on the high seas.
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REPORT: 30×30 From Global Ocean Treaty to Protection at Sea
This report offers clear routes to action to get across the finishing line and help the oceans thrive again.
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REPORT: Deep-Sea Disaster, Why Woodside’s Burrup Hub project is too risky to proceed
A spill or accident at Woodside’s Burrup Hub gas project could release toxic gas and condensate of a similar consistency to crude oil into World Heritage listed marine parks, with…
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POLL: Australians want renewable energy
More than 70% of Australians want ambitious renewable energy target to drive down electricity prices
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REPORT: License to Krill
Are krill oil companies stealing food from the mouths of Antarctic penguins and whales?
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INVESTIGATION: Turn the Tide
Greenpeace’s 12-month long investigation exposes the activities of Thailand’s rogue overseas fishing fleets, the companies behind them and their supply chain connections to export markets including Australia, the US and Europe.
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REPORT: Dodgy Prawns
The hidden environmental and social cost of prawns in Australia
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REPORT: Monster Boats – The scourge of the oceans
The destructive concentration of power and quotas in the EU fishing industry
Keep informed
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