Livelihood from Fishing

Fish constitutes a limited - and jeopardized - natural resource. Yet, in order to meet expanding demand from consumers and, consequently, industry, developed countries import ever increasing volumes of fish. While decommissioned vessels from Northern fleets are being transferred to the South to alleviate pressure on depleted European stocks, countries in the South are exporting more and more sea products to the North. In these conditions, how are the food requirements of impoverished populations, for whom fish is a vital source of protein, going to be met? The author argues that solutions do exist, although they entail a number of conditions: the
sharing of resources, protection of the environment, implementation of
measures for responsible fisheries, and integrated aquaculture. In addition, in order to develop an integrated form of aquaculture, the rights of fishworkers must be reinforced, since government policies bent on modernization and protection of natural resources often lead to their
marginalization. This book, based on over ten years' involvement with fishworkers' associations in the North and South, provides an overview of fisheries and makes proposals for the integration of social aspects in a new fishing policy. It will be of interest to all those who are keen to develop their environmental awareness and are concerned about the welfare of fishworkers.