Around 80% of fish is being caught at the maximum sustainable amount, but about 20% of fish is 'overfished'. This means we're taking too many fish out to let the populations recover. Fish have already become fewer and smaller, and it is predicted that in about 20 years time, we will run out of most fish entirely. That's a problem for seafood lovers, but also for the entire ocean! 

How can we help fish populations recover? No one wants to ban fishing, as that would mean giving up valuable food resources and income. 

Marine scientists and economists have suggested banning all fishing outside a countries' boarders, in international waters known as 'the High Seas'.  Fishing on the High Seas requires huge ships, massive amounts of fuel, and is only done by just a handful of wealthy countries (China, Japan, Korea, USA, and Spain catch about 80%). This means small-scale fishers often have nothing left to catch! 

Banning fishing on the High Seas creates a fish 'safe zone' to help populations recover - meaning more and bigger fish when they are caught!

This idea is based on the best available science and modelling from the Sea Around Us, and supported by award-winning marine ecologists such as Dr. Daniel Pauly and Dr. Rashid Sumaila.