Amsterdam, 25 May 2016 – Global brands, including McDonald\u2019s, Tesco, Iglo, Young\u2019s Seafood, Icelandic Seachill, alongside the Norwegian Fishing Vessel Owners Association, Fiskeb\u00e5t, Russian fishing giant, Karat and Europe\u2019s largest processor of frozen fish, Espersen, have today said \u201cno\u201d to the further expansion of cod fishing into the previously-frozen Northern Barents Sea \u2014 an area twice the size of France. [1]<\/p>\n
The ground-breaking agreement brokered by Greenpeace marks the first time the seafood industry has voluntarily imposed limitations to industrial fishing in the Arctic. This means that any fishing companies expanding into pristine Arctic waters will not be able to sell their cod to major seafood brands and retailers.<\/p>\n
Currently there is no specific legal regime in place to protect Arctic areas that were previously covered by sea ice. The challenge is now on the industry to properly implement this new commitment, and ensure their products are not linked to Arctic destruction.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the statement, Greenpeace Nordic campaigner Frida Bengtsson said:<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, McDonald\u2019s, Espersen, Young\u2019s Seafood, and Iglo, Findus & Birds Eye and many more have taken action together with the fishing industry to safeguard a huge marine area in the Arctic. In the absence of significant legal protection of the icy waters of the northern Barents Sea, this is an unprecedented step from the seafood industry.<\/p>\n
In March, Greenpeace investigations revealed how the melting Arctic sea ice has made it possible for large, bottom trawlers to venture into previously ice-covered \u2018ecologically significant\u2019 areas. [2] The report exposed how global, well-known food brands and retailers buying cod from the Barents Sea risked having their supply chain tainted with Arctic destruction<\/p>\n
The region, which includes the Svalbard archipelago, also known as the \u2018Arctic Galapagos\u2019, is home to vulnerable animals including the polar bear, bowhead whale and Greenland shark. At least 70% of all the Atlantic cod that ends up on dinner plates around the world is from the Barents Sea as such.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis voluntary and unprecedented move by the seafood industry highlights the lack of political ambition so far to protect the Arctic. Now it\u2019s up to the Norwegian government to catch up with the companies and protect the Arctic for the long term\u201d, said Frida Bengtsson.<\/p>\n
Greenpeace is calling on the Norwegian government to protect this truly unique and vulnerable area in the Norwegian Arctic waters and acknowledge the growing resistance to reckless exploitation of the fragile Arctic environment, not only from millions of individual people but also from the corporate world. [3]<\/p>\n
The statement from the fishing industry comes weeks after Arctic sea ice hit a record low maximum extent for winter. With the extreme loss of sea ice, large areas of water are left open for longer periods and the need for legal protection to replace the protective ice-shield is urgent.<\/p>\n
The challenge for these companies is now to deliver on their commitment to Arctic protection and show real results out on the water. The world\u2019s eyes are on the Arctic. This summer, the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise will go to the Arctic to keep watch over the areas now off limits to ensure that the fishing industry meets these commitments.<\/p>\n
ENDS<\/strong> [1] Industry statement here<\/a><\/p>\n
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\nNotes to editors:<\/strong><\/p>\n