Tackle industrial fishing, but local inshore fleets deserve support
Monbiot is right to highlight our complacency with overfishing, but in our attempts to tackle industrial fishing's worst abuses, especially unchecked bottom trawling, we should not demonise small‑scale fishers – our ocean's most powerful custodians.
Across the globe, small‑scale fishers using low‑impact gear in coastal waters are on the frontlines against industrial overfishing. They're the first to feel the impacts of ocean decline and the best-placed to propose solutions.
Is it true that 'the fishing industry trashes everything'? No. Some gears, like bottom trawls, are indeed destructive and should be restricted. But small-scale fisheries using low-impact gears are the opposite. They use environmentally friendly methods to provide healthy, low-carbon food to coastal communities.
Is fishing really 'the most destructive of all private industries'? No. Fossil fuel, mining and chemical lobbyists will be smiling as readers direct their ire towards the local inshore fishing fleet.
Should the UK government redirect funding away from fishing and let the industry fade? No. Current subsidies unfairly favour industrial vessels with outsized impacts. Redistributing funds and rapidly scaling investment in small‑scale fisheries would deliver dividends through resilient food systems, enhanced food security, sustainable livelihoods and greater climate resilience, alongside healthier ecosystems.
Should the oceans be closed to fishing, bar a few gazetted areas? No. Coastal waters should be fully co‑managed with small-scale fishers to ensure they are stewarded for future generations.
The world is awakening to the impacts of bottom trawling. Now it must wake up to the vital importance of small‑scale fisheries – and fast.Tom CollinsonAdvocacy manager, Blue Ventures
I read George Monbiot's article with interest. I am one of the producers of Rupert Murray's 2009 film The End of the Line, which was about marine destruction, was funded in part by Channel 4, and broadcast by it. This film did not 'carefully avoid' blaming the fishing industry, and an independent study showed that it had an impact on public attitudes, corporate behaviour and political policy.
That film drew heavily on the previous work of Charles Clover, who appeared in the film and whose 2004 book of the same title was a milestone in the campaign to save the world's oceans.
It is not just a question of making good and powerful programmes. Today, those have to have a celebrity at the front of them, and a lasting impact is achieved by a sustained and continuous campaign from civil society groups and journalism – in George's words 'those whose job it is to inform us'. My concern is that after Ocean, the BBC will think 'job done' and everyone else in the media will agree. Christopher HirdDartmouth Films
Many of us echo George Monbiot's 'At last!' in response to David Attenborough's film. But I was disappointed that the names of the trawlers plundering the oceans were blurred. It is about time the international companies plundering our oceans' ecosystems were publicly shamed.
Environmental NGOs, especially local ones using citizen scientists to gather data in their own time and often unpaid, have amassed millions of pieces of relevant data, especially from inshore waters. Yet we still have long 'consultations' on marine protected areas, usually resulting in nothing changing. I have completed four in recent years about Scottish inshore waters. There is collusion between UK governments and their national scientific and nature conservation organisations in this, and environmental NGOs, in fear of losing finance, grants etc stay silent.
The government has procrastinated in ratifying the 2023 UN high seas treaty agreeing to put 30% of these waters into marine protected areas. Ecosystems are the lifeblood of our oceans and ultimately us. Overfishing, short-term greed and financial returns are the name of this game. Stop the politics of delay – do it now!Dr Sally CampbellLamlash, Isle of Arran
Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Stagflation fears fuel interest rate conundrum at the Bank of England amid jobs bloodbath
The Bank of England has an interest rate headache as the spectre of stagflation hangs over Britain. Bleak figures from the Office for National Statistics yesterday showed unemployment at a four-year high of 4.7 per cent as Labour's tax hikes cost jobs. Borrowers will hope that the jobs bloodbath, combined with two months in a row of declining economic output, convinces the Bank to cut rates next month. But the central bank is also grappling with surging inflation at a 17-month high of 3.6 per cent. While a rate cut next month is expected, analysts warned it is far from certain. Charlie McCurdy, an economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: 'The jobs data presents a clear case for lowering rates. But higher-than-expected inflation muddies the picture. The decision next month is far from straightforward.' Central banks typically raise interest rates to control inflation and cut them when it is no longer a problem and the economy needs a lift. The Bank has cut rates four times since last August – from 5.25 per cent to 4.25 per cent – and investors now think there will be fewer cuts for the rest of this year. Simon French, economist at Panmure Liberum, expects two, having pencilled in four. Matthew Ryan, at global financial services firm Ebury, said: 'Things are going from bad to worse. 'This week's data puts the Bank in an extremely tough spot… an August rate reduction remains on the cards.'
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Horror on High Street as half of independent stores mull closure: Retail chiefs sound alarm over yet more painful tax rises
Retail chiefs sounded the alarm over rising taxes as it emerged more than half of independent shopkeepers have considered closing this year. As official figures showed unemployment has soared to a four-year high, the boss of Sports Direct and House of Fraser owner Frasers warned of 'dark clouds' on the horizon due to the looming Budget. And Ocado founder and chief executive Tim Steiner called for 'lower taxes and less regulation' to boost growth. The comments came as an industry survey found over 50 per cent of independent retailers have thought about shutting up shop this year. And 84 per cent said they lack confidence in the Government to help. Frasers finance chief Chris Wootton said there were 'dark clouds' over the next Budget. The company, which also owns Flannels, Evans Cycles and Gieves & Hawkes, said last year's Budget hit consumer confidence after it imposed higher National Insurance contributions and a hike in the minimum wage. And Labour has promised to 'level the playing field between the High Street and online giants' by replacing the business rates system. Ocado boss Steiner said: 'I think that all businesses and, in fact, all people in the UK should want to see lower taxes and less regulation, because that's what will create growth.' A survey by website Save The High Street found that more than half of independent shopkeepers have thought about shutting their business this year. Jeff Banks, designer and founder of fashion chain Warehouse, said businesses of all sizes are laying off staff. He added: 'Taxation is being used as a blunt instrument, driving small businesses out of existence rather than encouraging entrepreneurship and growth.' There has already been a wave of devastating shop closures and job cuts. Household names including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons have axed staff, citing the pressure of higher costs. At least one in ten retail workers could leave the sector before 2028, amounting to 300,000 staff, claims the Retail Jobs Alliance, which represents big names such as Tesco and M&S. But it is feared the reality could be even worse, as this estimate does not even include the impact of last year's Budget, let alone any further hikes this autumn. By Hugo Duncan The hospitality industry has lost a 'devastating' 84,000 jobs since Rachel Reeves imposed higher taxes at last year's Budget. Restaurants, pubs, cafes and hotels have been hammered by increases in national insurance and the minimum wage. And fears of further job cuts are mounting as firms struggle to stay afloat. Kate Nicholls of the UK Hospitality trade group, said: 'These devastating job losses are a direct consequence of policy decisions at last year's Budget.'
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Wise's Wall Street ambitions hit by profit miss: Shares in the UK fintech firm tank after trading update
Wise's ambitions of a sky-high New York valuation suffered a setback yesterday as shares in the British fintech firm tanked after it missed profit forecasts. The stock fell as much as 11 per cent when it reported that earnings came in at £362million in the three months to June – an 11 per cent increase on the previous year but below analyst expectations of £372million. The London firm last month dealt the UK tech sector a major blow when it revealed plans to move its primary stock market listing from London to Wall Street in search of a higher valuation. Chief executive Kristo Kaarmann yesterday said that the proposed move had been 'positively received' by shareholders. But the trading update and share price decline raised questions about Wise's ability to attract a higher price in the US. Dan Coatsworth, an investment analyst at AJ Bell, said: 'It's a myth that switching a main stock listing from the UK to the US will automatically result in a higher valuation. 'There are plenty of examples where this hasn't happened. Wise's earnings miss is the last thing it needs ahead of a listing transition. 'It hurts the company's reputation and makes prospective investors more cautious and potentially less willing to pay a high multiple of earnings for the stock, even though it is still delivering high levels of customer and earnings growth. 'It's like asking a driver if they want to buy a sports car with a dent in it.' Shares recovered some losses and ended down 5.7 per cent or 65p, at 1067p. It is the latest setback for the fintech darling after Kaarmann was last year fined £350,000 by the City watchdog over 'significant tax issues' for his failure to pay £720,425 in capital gains tax after selling £10million worth of shares in 2017. The New York move has been described as a 'hammer blow' to the City which has suffered a mass exodus. Last month Kaarmann acknowledged efforts to reform Britain's listing rules but he said the switch was due to the US having the world's biggest capital markets which will allow more investors to buy shares. The money transfer company insisted it was not turning its back on the UK, where a fifth of staff are based, and would continue hiring and investing in the country. It will also maintain a secondary listing in London.
