Sample Letter

I am extremely concerned about the uncontrolled pirate fishing for toothfish in the waters of the Southern Ocean. Scientists estimate that at the current rate of fishing, the fishery would collapse within two years. In addition, many thousands of vulnerable species of seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, are dying on hooks intended to catch toothfish. The entire Southern Ocean ecosystem is at risk.

Despite widespread recognition that illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean is raging out of control and very little is known about the extent and impact of illegal fishing, the United Kingdom is placing additional pressure on this unique environment by continuing to grant fishing licences. This cannot be considered precautionary. It is apparent that the United Kingdom is currently placing more importance on pressure from commercial fishing companies than to the need to conserve this Antarctic fish. Pirate fishing companies will continue to find ways to disguise their trade in illegally caught fish as long as there is toothfish caught under licence on the market.

The UK is a market for toothfish. The only reason that the pirate fishery for toothfish exists is because markets are available to them. Licensed fishing provides a cover for illegally caught fish to be sold internationally. It has been recognised that CCAMLR's Catch Documentation Scheme will be insufficient to end the trade in illegally caught toothfish. I am very concerned that consumers and fish buyers cannot be confident that a pirate vessel did not catch the toothfish in their supermarkets and restaurants.

Until pirate fishing in the Southern Ocean is eliminated and seabirds are no longer killed, I demand that the UK government ban trade in toothfish.

As a member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), our government has both the opportunity and responsibility to act on behalf of this fragile ecosystem. I urge you to demand a moratorium on fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean, backed by a trade ban, until the pirate fishing is eliminated. We should oppose the resumption of fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean until it can be demonstrated that the fishery can withstand the impact of commercial fishing and that effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are in place to prevent the return of pirate vessels.

Sincerely,