Fair Trade Fish

Advancing International Cooperation for
Sustainable Fishing, Improved Livelihoods
and Fair Trade Policies

FISH is the fastest growing source of food in developing countries. It is the primary source of animal protein for about one-sixth of the world's population -- and often the only source of protein for millions of the world's poor. Fishers in developing countries are among the poorest of the poor and fishing is often the only way out of poverty and malnutrition for them.

Meanwhile, across the world, demand for fish has doubled in the last 50 years, and production would have to double again in the next 25 years to keep up with population growth. The number of people in the world increases every year by 80-90 million, most of them in developing countries. Demand, which has risen at twice the rate of human population growth since 1961, has greatly exceeded supply and the problem is growing.

However, the world's fisheries are in crisis -- the result of unsustainable fishing practices. The problem is grave. More than 45 per cent of the world's fisheries are overexploited, 60 per cent are being fished to their full capacity and 75 per cent need immediate action to freeze or reduce fishing to ensure future supplies. World fishery production is now more than six times that of 1950.

Continued over-fishing threatens global food security, impoverishes coastal communities and degrades ecosystems. It also threatens the economies of developing countries, for many of which fish are one of their few exports and foreign currency earner. Over 70 per cent of all fish exports are sourced from developing countries and this proportion is rising.

Catches of wild fish have stagnated since the mid-1980s, and many of the world's important fisheries have already collapsed.

From El Salvador to South Africa and Thailand, from Palestine to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from the Philippines to Venezuela, Peru, Mexico, and Central America, the struggles to respond to issues of justice, empowerment, poverty, local community issues, are very real, but the contextual challenges that loom are enormous. These are some of The Questions.

How to be relevant in these times, especially to young people - to speak in a language that makes sense in the context of globalization and instant access to vast amounts of information, addressing contemporary concerns in a manner that is credible and welcoming;

How to be a respectful minority presence in Muslim and Buddhist societies, or an open Catholic presence in communities increasingly drawn to a fundamentalist Christian expression of faith, and how to promote religious and cultural tolerance;

How to exemplify a commitment to the social dimensions of the community- willing to address the critical social issues of specific countries in the global South as well as the globalization of poverty, violence, and environmental destruction;

How to be a credible player in the process of building a just and lasting peace in situations of violent conflict and war;

How to end impunity, promote reconciliation, and protect human rights in post-conflict situations; and

How to define and encourage good governance in impoverished as well as in rich countries.

The mission IS a daunting one and the challenge is great, but the Spirit is strong and ready. At Fair Trade Fish, our Organization is ready to Meet These Goals and Precepts in a Third World Fishing Society.

If We Do Not Change Our Habits, The Fish Will Have the LAST LAUGH. Think About the Future.

Think About How Your Fish Got to Your Table, and By Who.

Definition of FAIR TRADE in Wikipedia

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES PDF in Other Window

FAO State of Fishing 2006 PDF in Other Window

Definition of Sustainable Practices on Earth People Foundation Site

We Work With Small Scale Fishermen {ARTESINAL} in Latin America

Support our Future Fishermen in Central America We are here in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Nicaragua.

Little Buddies of Mine from My Neighborhood in El Salvador. Playa San Diego Vladimir, Jose, Wilbur, Carlos 1996,

2008, they are Truly WATERMEN......

Wilbur---Campeon de Surf, El Salvador, Vladimir --Guia Extroidinar, Jose--Surfeador/Busceador , Carlos--- Mi Estudiante/Pescador-Especial

Teach A Child to Fish, It is An Expression of LOVE.

Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you. - Aldous Huxley

E-mail Contact info@fairtradefish.org

'pescado' in subject line for proper arrival

843.242.7459

503(c) Tax Exempt Status

We are auctioning a group of Antique Rods and Reels to raise funds for our fishermen affected by Hurricane Ida here in El Salvador.

if Interested, contact info is above. Thanks for your time, I can send pix and data.

An On-Line Translator For Many Languages Bueno Transductor,

La Libertad Muelle

Clickable Links on Banners and Photos

FAO World Fishing Zones

FISH BASE all one needs to know of most species, taxonomic data, common names, pictures

FISHERIES INFORMATION CENTER

His Reverend The Dalai Lama WEB SITE

"We all live here, we do not have time to quarrel anymore It is 2009. Time is precious, enjoy it without threat of war or other atrocities perpetuated by negative non-productive policies".

The Noble Eightfold Path:

Right Views, Right Thoughts, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.

YOU Yourself, as much as Anybody in the Entire Universe, Deserve YOUR Love and Affection.- BUDDHA

Some Banners of Organizations We Believe are Working to Bring Peace and Justice to This Water Planet,

and Whom Work For Equality for ALL and whose HEART is in the Right Place.