Erin Priddle, MSC Regional Director, North Europe
The distribution of fish stocks changes over time but has accelerated in recent years because of a changing climate. This heightens the need for international quota agreements to avoid the risk of overfishing.
Fish do not respect national borders, with species often migrating long distances to feed and reproduce. When nations share fish stocks, they must work together to manage them and ensure their long-term sustainability.
Fishing is an integral part of the economy of many coastal states, providing a source of food and employment. Without international agreements on how fish stocks are managed and exploited sustainably, both fish and livelihoods are put at risk.