July 30, 2013 Speakers: Michele Kuruc, Vice-President For Marine Conservation, World Wildlife Fund (WWF-US) Michael Crispino, Vice President, Communications & Outreach, International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) • On July 30, the Oceans Caucus Foundation (OCF) hosted a Congressional staff briefing on the necessity for transparency in fisheries and seafood markets worldwide for the viability of world fish stocks and the sustainability of food supplies. • FAO's most recent State of the World's Fisheries and Aquaculture report states that 57% of the world's fisheries are fully exploited and another 30% over-exploited, and trends show more fisheries becoming over-exploited over time. • Just as 91% of seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, most fish consumed in the developed world comes from fisheries off the coasts of developing countries that either lack the capacity to enforce sustainable fisheries management laws, are under pressure to exploit their fisheries to generate quick economic growth, or both. • Issue experts point out that much progress can be made to curb illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing by taking "fundamental" steps to advance transparency in the market. • Simple measures to increase transparency in harvesting and selling seafood are absolutely vital to the future of our fisheries, and are key to our food security. To view the extended version featuring full briefing summary, video, and briefing materials, visit this website: http://www.ocfoundation.us/index.php?option=com_content&view;=article&id;=128&Itemid;=69

• published: 07 Aug 2013
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