Europeans call on their decision-makers to end overfishing

"European Fish Weeks is about explaining why we must end overfishing, or fishing will be over," said Uta Bellion, director of the Pew Environment Group's European Marine Programme and OCEAN2012 co-ordinator. "Our leaders have the responsibility to stop overfishing, and citizens have the responsibility to encourage and support them to make the right decisions."

"European Fish Weeks is about explaining why we must end overfishing, or fishing will be over," said Uta Bellion, director of the Pew Environment Group's European Marine Programme and OCEAN2012 co-ordinator. "Our leaders have the responsibility to stop overfishing, and citizens have the responsibility to encourage and support them to make the right decisions."

According to recently published data:

"We are encouraged by the number of activities planned for the third European Fish Weeks, which demonstrates the growing desire of European citizens to see an end to overfishing," said Bellion.

For more information about European Fish Weeks: www.OCEAN2012.eu/fishweeks

To view European Fish Week events on a Google map: www.OCEAN2012.eu/events

For further information, please contact:
Mike Walker, +32-476-622575, mwalker@pewtrusts.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

OCEAN2012 is an alliance of organisations dedicated to transforming European fisheries policy to stop overfishing, end destructive fishing practices, and deliver fair and equitable use of healthy fish stocks.

OCEAN2012 was initiated, and is co-ordinated, by the Pew Environment Group, the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts. A nongovernmental organisation, Pew works to end overfishing in the world´s oceans.

The steering group of OCEAN2012 consists of the Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements, Ecologistas en Accion, The Fisheries Secretariat, nef (new economics foundation), the Pew Environment Group, and Seas at Risk.