For decades, our seas have been dominated by industrial-scale, high-impact fisheries that employ destructive practices in the most vulnerable marine areas.

Supported by subsidies and unfairly allocated quotas in the name of economic and food security, they in fact degrade and deplete our ocean and endanger the sustainability of the fishing industry. Even areas designated as “protected” continue to suffer from ecologically devastating activities, most notably bottom trawling.

But there’s hope. A growing movement of small-scale fishers, ocean lovers, and marine conservationists is demonstrating there’s a different, better way forward — and that by protecting the ocean, we protect ourselves.

Indeed, alternative concepts such as "pesca-ecology" are getting traction, and fishers from all over Europe apply already today low impact practices and business models that are good for marine ecosystems and local communities alike.

This event, taking place in an emblematic tent on the esplanade in front of the European Parliament, will bring together fishers, thinkers, institutions and activists to Rethink Fisheries!

Join us for an exceptional high level event at a critical moment to rethink fisheries in Europe.

Agenda

16:00 Welcome - Alexandra Cousteau (filmmaker and activist), Gina Lovett (Patagonia) & Tobias Troll (Seas At Risk)

16:05 Keynote: How can seafood production support marine regeneration – and vice versa? Inka Cresswell (Oceanographer and filmmaker)

16:20 The future of fisheries: Silvia Bartolini (European Commission), Isabella Lövin (MEP), Didier Gascuel (Institut Agro Rennes), Brian O’Riordan (Low Impact Fishers of Europe)

17:10 Bottom trawling and MPAs: Jorid Hammersland (Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU), David Lange (Danish small scale fishers producer organisation FSKPO), Vera Coelho (Oceana Europe)

17:25 Make Fishing Fair: Fisher testimonials by Gwen Pennarun (Association ligneurs pointe de Bretagne, France), Isaac Moya Bofill (Empescat, Spain), Muireann Kavanagh (Ireland) and SAR/LIFE report “Fisheries for a new era” on alternative business models in small scale fisheries

17:55 Closing remarks: Claire Nouvian (BLOOM)

18:00 Social networking event: A toast to the Ocean by Alexandra Cousteau

Organised by Seas At Risk, Patagonia, Oceana, Blue Ventures, Low Impact Fishers of Europe, ClientEarth, Only One