Environmental organisations from Sweden, Åland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland have today submitted a joint Letter of Concern to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), calling for stronger action on the sustainable use of marine resources.

The organisations express concern that biologically unsustainable fishing quotas persist in several areas and that bottom trawling continues in marine protected areas, including Natura 2000 sites within the European Union.

According to the organisations, this raises important questions about the implementation of commitments under both the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

“Healthy marine ecosystems are the foundation of future fisheries. Sustainable fisheries and biodiversity protection should not be seen as opposing goals. On the contrary, healthy marine ecosystems are essential for productive fisheries in the long term.”

The organisations note that both the European Union’s own reporting to the CBD Secretariat and recent evaluations of the Common Fisheries Policy acknowledge that important challenges remain in achieving sustainable fisheries.

Ahead of COP17 in Armenia later this year, the organisations are therefore encouraging the Convention on Biological Diversity to pay particular attention to:

– Implementation and enforcement of biodiversity commitments related to fisheries

– The sustainable use of marine living resources

– The continued use of destructive fishing practices in protected marine areas

– Improved mapping and protection of marine habitats

The organisations stress that achieving global biodiversity targets will require stronger implementation efforts at both European and national levels.

The joint letter has been submitted to the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity and shared with the European Commission, the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), and relevant Nordic decision-makers.

Signatories:

Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Sweden)

Ålands Natur & Miljö (Åland)

Danish Society for Nature Conservation (Denmark)

Naturvernforbundet (Norway)

Landvernd – Icelandic Environment Association (Iceland)

The Faroese Nature Conservation Association (Faroe Islands)

Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland)

For further information:

Birgith Lassen
Secretary General
Faroese Nature and Environment Association