Many people do not understand key facts about the ocean – including almost a fifth (19%) who do not know our planet is covered by more ocean than land, and over a third (34%) unaware that in some places the ocean is deeper than Mount Everest is high, according to the results of a survey commissioned by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the international non-profit and ecolabel.
More than 31,000 people in 23 countries were questioned on their ocean knowledge by the independent research company Globescan. While 66% correctly identified that overfishing is more widespread today than it was 50 years ago, 35% wrongly thought fish populations can never recover from overfishing, and a further 26% were unsure.
Fishing for the Future Report – Greater Ocean Education is Needed
Released on World Ocean Day, 8 June, the insights highlight both the scale of public misunderstanding about the ocean and the need for greater awareness that, with the right management, fish stocks can rebound. The MSC’s new report, Fishing for the Future, shows examples of fish stocks that recovered when effective, science-based measures were put in place to manage the fisheries targeting them.
In the Namibian hake fishery, for example, industry and government worked together under a new management plan to rebuild the stock, setting catch targets in line with scientific advice. By 2019, the hake biomass was approximately twice the level than it was in 1990.
The survey also found strong public concern about ocean health, with 86% of people saying they are worried about the state of the ocean. Climate change, pollution and declining fish populations were among the main concerns.
Rupert Howes, MSC Chief Executive, said: “Our work with fisheries around the world, shows that whilst there is no doubting the scale of the challenge, recovery is possible.
“With science-based management, strong collaboration and long-term commitment, it is possible to manage our marine resources sustainably. That is a message of hope — and one we need more people to hear and act on.”
The Ocean Heroes Wall
This World Ocean Day, the MSC is bringing together key voices in the sustainable fisheries management sphere by means of an ‘Ocean Heroes Wall’, featuring inspiring messages of why our shared ocean and sustainable fishing is important to people and the planet– with nearly 30 representatives from Africa. The international sustainability standard setter also encourages the public to join in and take a moment for the ocean.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organisation which sets globally recognised standards for sustainable fishing and the seafood supply chain. Fisheries representing 20% of the world’s wild marine catch are engaged in its certification program.
View the Ocean Heroes Wall here.
Read the Fishing for the Future report here.
