Threats to marine biodiversity - overfishing

Decades of overfishing have depleted marine species and endangered the ecosystem balance. In Europe, despite some progress, overfishing is still a big problem. In the Mediterranean and the Black Seas, 73% of commercial fish species are overfished. 

In 2020, Europe missed its deadline to end overfishing, and year after year, EU ministers have been setting fishing quotas above scientific recommendations. Around 40% of fish are caught unintentionally, as bycatch, also including endangered species.  

It’s urgent to start working towards more sustainable and selective fishing. It’s time to think long-term. If overexploiting fish populations continues, they will disappear - and without fish, there is no fishing and no life in the seas!