Save Our Swordfish (SOS)
Spende geschützt
Ahoy and thanks for visiting my crowdfunding campaign! My name is Valeska and I'm the director of the marine conservation organization The Black Fish. We are a small grassroots NGO, working to end destructive and illegal fishing practices in european waters and to protect all the amazing life in our oceans. The Black Fish is entirely run by volunteers and can only do its important work thanks to supporters all over the world.
In September this year a small team of The Black Fish is heading to Sicily to document and expose the illegal catch of juvenile swordfish. Swordfish are large ocean predators and extremely important for the ecological balance of the ocean. Over the last decades the population of swordfish in the Mediterranean has been decreasing by nearly 70%, due to overfishing and the illegal catch of juveniles.
Over the last years, The Black Fish has run various investigations into illegal fishing activities in both the Baltic and Mediterranean. In our investigative campaigns we involve ordinary citizens in the monitoring of fishing activity and exposing of potential illegality. We do that by providing a training workshop, where people learn to identify different types of vessels, fishing gear and fish species. Since 2014 we have trained more than 70 people from over 9 different countries as "Citizen Inspectors".
The Plan
Our campaign will run for two weeks, with a team of ten people operating on the ground along the west coast of Sicily. We will do multiple inspections of fish markets, where juvenile swordfish is sold and in fishing ports, to collect evidence which vessels are landing it. Our actions will result in a detailed mapping of where activity takes place and enable enforcement efforts to be directed more effectively.
We will also work to shift consumers' mindsets by using the powerful footage from the investigations for awareness and education campaigns. The evidence and footage from the investigations is used to produce videos, website articles and print material for the public. Overfishing is driven by the demand of consumers worldwide and therefore leaving certain fish species, like swordfish, off the plates will have an important impact. An increased awareness will lead to public pressure to inspire much needed political vision to deal with these problems effectively. Various public events, talks and actions are planned to take place, bringing together activists, artists, chefs and scientists, to conserve the Mediterranean swordfish for future generations.
What is the deal with swordfish in the Mediterranean?
Swordfish are large predatory fish highly prized for their meat in the harbours and restaurants of the Mediterranean, with demand increasingly each year. They are also a popular target in the trophy fishing industry, which often targets the larger individuals. Like other predators, swordfish mature relatively late and only reach reproductive age at 5-6 years. Though the giants of old (swordfish used to be caught measuring as much as 5 metres in length) are now a thing of myth, fishing for swordfish in the Mediterranean continues. These twin pressures of industrial and sport fishing have led the Mediterranean swordfish population to decline dramatically. As stocks have dwindled, prices have increased – further establishing it as a ‘luxury’ product and thereby increasing demand even more.
Since the larger fish in a stock are usually targeted and gone first, smaller fish are now the mainstay of catches in the region and fishers report dramatic losses in fish size in just one generation. Given the large financial gains to be had for swordfish meat, this situation leaves young, juvenile swordfish as tempting targets for local fishers. Despite the targeting of fish below 90 cms being illegal under EU law, a lack of enforcement and corruption within the enforcement agencies themselves means these laws are flaunted. As such it is estimated that 72% of swordfish caught in the Mediterranean in 2012 were juvenile! Catching undersized fish poses great threats to the stock. The late maturing life history of swordfish means that they are particularly vulnerable, resulting in a large number of fish being caught before ever being able to reproduce – a trend that threatens the very survival of the species.
Where you come into play
In September a team of 10 activists will travel to Sicily to uncover the illegal catch of juvenile swordfish and to strengthen the enforcement effort of local authorities. We will further spend some days out at sea and underwater to retrieve illegal or lost fishing gear (ghost nets). The evidence and footage from the investigations is used to produce videos, website articles and print material for the public. Various public events, talks and actions are planned to take place, bringing together activists, artists, chefs and scientists, to conserve the Mediterranean swordfish for future generations.
Today I would like to ask you to help us to cover the basic costs of our work on Sicily. Your donations will help to cover the cost of accommodation, rental cars, fuel, basic food supplies and three days of undercover work out at sea.
For a donation over 20€ we will send you a postcard from the field, updating you on the work we're doing. For a donation over 30€ you will get a beautiful print of a swordfish (A5 format), illustrated by the German artist Katharina Rot. For a donation of 100€ or more you will receive our amazing swordfish campaign shirt!
To learn more about The Black Fish, our work and projects, please visit our website at www.theblackfish.org and connect with us on Social Media for regular updates. You can find us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.
You also help us immensely by sharing this crowdfunding campaign with friends & family.
Please feel free to contact me here if you have any questions. Thank you for your support!
Valeska
In September this year a small team of The Black Fish is heading to Sicily to document and expose the illegal catch of juvenile swordfish. Swordfish are large ocean predators and extremely important for the ecological balance of the ocean. Over the last decades the population of swordfish in the Mediterranean has been decreasing by nearly 70%, due to overfishing and the illegal catch of juveniles.
Over the last years, The Black Fish has run various investigations into illegal fishing activities in both the Baltic and Mediterranean. In our investigative campaigns we involve ordinary citizens in the monitoring of fishing activity and exposing of potential illegality. We do that by providing a training workshop, where people learn to identify different types of vessels, fishing gear and fish species. Since 2014 we have trained more than 70 people from over 9 different countries as "Citizen Inspectors".
The Plan
Our campaign will run for two weeks, with a team of ten people operating on the ground along the west coast of Sicily. We will do multiple inspections of fish markets, where juvenile swordfish is sold and in fishing ports, to collect evidence which vessels are landing it. Our actions will result in a detailed mapping of where activity takes place and enable enforcement efforts to be directed more effectively.
We will also work to shift consumers' mindsets by using the powerful footage from the investigations for awareness and education campaigns. The evidence and footage from the investigations is used to produce videos, website articles and print material for the public. Overfishing is driven by the demand of consumers worldwide and therefore leaving certain fish species, like swordfish, off the plates will have an important impact. An increased awareness will lead to public pressure to inspire much needed political vision to deal with these problems effectively. Various public events, talks and actions are planned to take place, bringing together activists, artists, chefs and scientists, to conserve the Mediterranean swordfish for future generations.
What is the deal with swordfish in the Mediterranean?
Swordfish are large predatory fish highly prized for their meat in the harbours and restaurants of the Mediterranean, with demand increasingly each year. They are also a popular target in the trophy fishing industry, which often targets the larger individuals. Like other predators, swordfish mature relatively late and only reach reproductive age at 5-6 years. Though the giants of old (swordfish used to be caught measuring as much as 5 metres in length) are now a thing of myth, fishing for swordfish in the Mediterranean continues. These twin pressures of industrial and sport fishing have led the Mediterranean swordfish population to decline dramatically. As stocks have dwindled, prices have increased – further establishing it as a ‘luxury’ product and thereby increasing demand even more.
Since the larger fish in a stock are usually targeted and gone first, smaller fish are now the mainstay of catches in the region and fishers report dramatic losses in fish size in just one generation. Given the large financial gains to be had for swordfish meat, this situation leaves young, juvenile swordfish as tempting targets for local fishers. Despite the targeting of fish below 90 cms being illegal under EU law, a lack of enforcement and corruption within the enforcement agencies themselves means these laws are flaunted. As such it is estimated that 72% of swordfish caught in the Mediterranean in 2012 were juvenile! Catching undersized fish poses great threats to the stock. The late maturing life history of swordfish means that they are particularly vulnerable, resulting in a large number of fish being caught before ever being able to reproduce – a trend that threatens the very survival of the species.
Where you come into play
In September a team of 10 activists will travel to Sicily to uncover the illegal catch of juvenile swordfish and to strengthen the enforcement effort of local authorities. We will further spend some days out at sea and underwater to retrieve illegal or lost fishing gear (ghost nets). The evidence and footage from the investigations is used to produce videos, website articles and print material for the public. Various public events, talks and actions are planned to take place, bringing together activists, artists, chefs and scientists, to conserve the Mediterranean swordfish for future generations.
Today I would like to ask you to help us to cover the basic costs of our work on Sicily. Your donations will help to cover the cost of accommodation, rental cars, fuel, basic food supplies and three days of undercover work out at sea.
For a donation over 20€ we will send you a postcard from the field, updating you on the work we're doing. For a donation over 30€ you will get a beautiful print of a swordfish (A5 format), illustrated by the German artist Katharina Rot. For a donation of 100€ or more you will receive our amazing swordfish campaign shirt!
To learn more about The Black Fish, our work and projects, please visit our website at www.theblackfish.org and connect with us on Social Media for regular updates. You can find us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.
You also help us immensely by sharing this crowdfunding campaign with friends & family.
Please feel free to contact me here if you have any questions. Thank you for your support!
Valeska
Organisator
Valeska Diemel
Organisator
