Give A Man A Fish And He'll Eat For A Day, Give A Man A Fishing Boat And He'll Threaten A Species

Moroccan fishing fleets oblivious to international legislation prohibiting driftnets larger than 2.5 kilometres long and are in fact using nets of up to 14 kilometres long, even though the Morocco has endorsed the legislation banning them.

Moroccan fisheries using the illegal practice of driftnets to catch swordfish in the mediterranean, (although it is not illegal to fish for swordfish). The process of driftnet fishing threatens mediterranean dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and many other species.

http://oceana.org/uploads/pics/moroccan_driftnetters_report_2006_eng.jpg

According to a report financed by the 'WWF' found that more of more than 177 fishing boats operating under the illegal practice of driftnets, fishery experts from the 'WWF' concluded from a recent visit to Morocco that no changes in the fishing activity of this illegal fleet had occurred in the past few years.

“Fragile ocean life is still being destroyed by widespread driftnet fishing – against the law – in Moroccan waters,” said Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF Mediterranean.

An estimate found that a shocking 20,000 dolphins and 100,000 sharks have been killed in the last five years alone due to illegal driftnets!

What can be done to drive Morocco to follow up its obligation to the legislation and to put a stop to illegal methods of fishing?

“WWF urges the European Commission to send a strong signal to Morocco about its political commitment to stamp out illegal fishing – or fully apply the IUU Regulation in January 2010.”

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