The WWF and the leading associations for European seafood processors and retailers have announced they will work together to push for solutions to the crisis of European seas and fisheries. They will be jointly seeking reforms to the troubled European Common Fisheries Policy to lay the basis for sustainable fisheries and a sustainable fishing industry.

The current EU Common Fisheries Policy has failed to secure the health of EU fisheries, and has put most of them under severe strain, compromising the ability to offer the EU population the sustainably harvested fish they are demanding.

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New regulations, such as retailers’ requirement that fish must be certified as sustainable, and the impact of the global economic crisis are affecting the seafood industry, especially producers in developing nations, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has concluded.

Half of all fish imported by rich nations, valued at $43 billion annually, comes from the developing world, and the industry directly employs 45 million people, while approximately half a billion people rely on fish for some or all of their incomes.

But for poorer nations, getting their fish to market is becoming increasingly difficult.

A new DFO report  claims Canada's aquaculture industry generates $2.1 billion each year and contributes thousands of jobs in coastal and rural communities.

Fish farm opponents, on the other hand, allege the industry has decimated commercial fisheries.They say it's done far more harm than good for small communities, and they question the study's intentions.

Fisheries Minister Gail Shea has announced the appointment of Mrs. Lina Condo, Mr. Lewis Creed, Dr. Bruce Hatcher, Mr. Michael O’Connor and Mr. Derek Butler, as well as the re-appointment of Mr. Donald Walker as members to the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC).