COASTAL WATERS ARE THE MOST PRODUCTIVE AND EXPLOITED ON EARTH. THEY COVER 7% OF THE OCEAN YET PRODUCE 90% OF ALL FISH CAUGHT. 87% OF FISH STOCKS ARE FULLY EXPLOITED OR OVER EXPLOITED.
By increasing protections and sustainably managing fisheries and aquaculture, we could rebuild depleted fish stocks, securing seafood for billions of people while reducing and absorbing up to 15% of climate emissions.
"THE OCEAN ALSO HARBORS OLD-GROWTH ECOSYSTEMS EQUIVALENT TO PRIMARY FORESTS... WITH DEEP CORALS THOUSANDS OF YEARS OLD."
“Covering more than 70% of our blue planet... with an average depth of almost 4 km, they provide over 99% of the habitable space for life on earth... Once thought to be nearly inexhaustible, many global fisheries have collapsed or are severely depleted.”
“Industrial fishing is the largest hunting operation on the planet and targets more than half of the ocean surface... more than 1000 species are threatened with extinction due to fishing."
WHAT IF WE COULD PROTECT 50% OF GLOBAL OCEANS?
By rebuilding fish stocks with no-take zones, sustainably managed fisheries, and marine permaculture systems, we can protect 50% of our global oceans, increase productivity, and help combat ocean acidification.