This is all the more important given the unprecedented and unpredictable threats we face today. The ocean is vital to slowing climate change, absorbing more than 30% of the greenhouse gases emitted and 90% of the excess heat generated since the industrial revolution, but at a huge cost.

Ocean acidification and warming are occurring at alarming rates and are already severely impacting some of our most precious marine ecosystems. Its impact will only grow stronger.

As a journalist, author, Member of the European Parliament, Environment Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, I have been a longtime advocate for marine conservation and the well-being of communities dependent on fisheries. I am still committed to stopping the destruction of the oceans we depend on and supporting the social justice we desperately need as a global community.

This allowed me to attend the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon in June. There was much to celebrate there, especially when French President Emmanuel Macron called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. But there was also much to lament.

As someone who has been in power, actually has multiple seats at some tables, and is always doing his best to represent all voters who want to protect the planet, it’s hard for politicians to see other interests. I also know that there are times when it takes precedence.

Macron “Description”

It was put on display in Lisbon, and later proved by French officials to “clarify” the president’s comments.

According to the story, the 11th-century Norse king Canute showed his inability to stop the tide so that his followers could have more reasonable expectations of him. As such, the biodiversity and climate emergency has unleashed a disastrous wave of change unstoppable by the lofty commitments of decision-makers about what must be done.

I know it takes courageous words followed by courageous actions to bring about change. Words alone cannot do it. We need informed and active citizens to vote and reward decision makers who take action to secure a healthy and livable future.

Fisheries management has a decisive impact on the state of marine ecosystems and thus on ocean health. For the ocean to continue to sustain life on this planet and mitigate the impacts of reckless climate change, we must start treating it not as a resource for (over)exploitation, but as climate change and nature-based solutions. must be

In Lisbon, we hear from a pioneering group of scientists led by Dr. Rashid Sumaila at the University of British Columbia how this can be achieved in the EU.

These scientists have published a series of papers revealing how more responsible fishing can help restore ocean health and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Scientists have investigated how overfishing truncates food webs, weakening systems and making them more vulnerable to shocks like climate change. Fish resemble humans in this way. Just as healthy people are more likely to survive COVID-19, healthy oceans are more capable of mitigating and adapting to climate change.

As the impacts of climate change are set to significantly reduce the biomass of fish stocks, enabling marine ecosystems to adapt to climate requires a specific conservation focus to rebuild stocks. Dedicated management is required.

EU Missing

But the EU has been lax in achieving its own goals to end overfishing. This is not enough and we are not acting like we are in an emergency. It’s like saying don’t let the tide come.

Reducing overcapacity in European fishing fleets could catch more fish, according to research. This means fewer boats, less fuel burning, less greenhouse gas emissions, and better economies for fishermen and women.

In the coming months, the European Commission will publish the action plan set out in the EU’s 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and an anticipated assessment of the Common Fisheries Policy. These must be bold and stave off short-term economic gains that destroy our oceans.

Just as Knut was frustrated by the blind faith of his followers, the European Commission needs to stop talking about everything it can and will do and just do it.

The tide is approaching climate change and biodiversity loss. There is no point in arguing about what can be done to stop it. Action is needed and fisheries management has a crucial role.