Governments must help fishing communities – Archbishop Marchetto

(Feb.10,2010): The Church cannot ignore the distressing situation in which, many fishers and their families are living, said the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. Archbishop Agostino Marchetto told the sixth AOS –Apostleship of the Sea International Meeting in the Vatican on Wednesday, that hundreds of millions of people traditionally dependent on fishing for food and livelihoods, face resource depletion, competition from industrial and distant water fleets and loss of access to traditional marine food supplies. It is therefore urgent, he said, to take more decisive steps to develop new approaches to the pastoral care aimed at the world of fishers.
It is estimated that there are over 30 million fishers worldwide. Of these, over 15 million are working full time on board fishing vessels. Noting that fishing in most countries is a hazardous occupation, and the rate of accidents and fatalities in this sector are quite high, Archbishop Marchetto said the AOS has always shown a special interest for fishers, with a direct involvement of many chaplains and volunteers in their life. He pointed out that from ancient times, fishing has been a major source of food for humanity and a provider of employment and economic benefits to those engaged in this activity. However, in recent years, he said, the technological development of fishing vessels and the globalization of the industry, has created a deep impact on the general situation and the livelihood of many fishing communities. Nature’s limits have been stretched, and it cannot be allowed to continue this way, if the oceans and human communities worldwide that depend on them are to survive, said Archbishop Marchetto. He called on governments to strictly enforce laws and regulations to protect the oceans, especially from Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) fishing. At the same time, it is necessary to educate fishers and favour
their participation in this effort of protection, he added.