MESSAGE FROM HUGH:

 

It’s right to describe today’s commitment by EU ministers to a discards ban as a “massive breakthrough”, and our Fish Fighters should be delighted that our message has been not only heard, but acted on.

Well done Mr Benyon and the other ministers who worked so hard through the night to push this through. We know that changing EU law will be a marathon, not a sprint, and there’s still much more to do in the coming months to make sure the ministers deliver on these promises. 

We need to change provisional dates into a completely committed timetable. We need to persuade MEPs to improve on, and then ratify the decisions taken by the ministers. Only then can we ensure that we will have sustainable fish stocks, a viable fishing industry and a healthy marine environment for generations to come. We’re counting on you, our 800,000 Fish Fighters to keep up the pressure!

The binding commitment to sustainable levels of fishing within a defined timeframe, and to follow scientific advice without compromise, is also great news for Fish Fighters. As always, thank you all for your support.

Massive thanks too to all our NGO supporters and advisers, especially ClientEarth, Greenpeace, The Marine Conservation Society and Oceans 2012. Their lobbying plays a vital part in keeping marine conservation on the CFP reform agenda.

READ MORE

guardian.co.uk: Fishing discards practice thrown overboard by EU 

bbc.co.uk: EU Council agrees to end fish discards

fishfight.net: Join the fight