FISH IN FRANCE

Summative Assessment: Fish in France

Summative Assessment: Fish in France

Executive Summary

Fish is an important natural resource. Fishing is not a new concept but seafood and fishes have continued to be used by humans for various purposes. Apart from its consumption as food, fish byproducts include the extensive use of fish oil and fish scales or skin has motivated to the increasing demand of this natural resource. This has led to the increase in jobs associated with this profession and industry and at the same time, drawn attention of the people towards the over exploitation of this natural resource.

Like all other natural resources, fishes are also required to be protected from overexploitation for sustainability. Steps and measures in this direction have been taken by the European Union and talking specifically about France, the country has also followed the policies that have been proposed. Fishing in France has an important place because of the availability of coastal areas where the major activity for the people is fishing. Hence overexploitation leading to exhaustion or depletion of this natural resource will in the long run not only impact the environment by also bring social impacts such as loss of jobs. France considers this natural resource as important and takes steps regularly to ensure that this industry grows as well as for the sustainability of this resource. Apart from the allocation of quota to ensure that no overfishing takes place in a particular region, steps regarding environmental protection also need to be taken for the assurance that what comes in the market is healthy. Also steps in this direction will help in preventing the loss or death of fishes thereby sustaining the industry and economic factors associated with it.

Key words: Fish, France, Sustainability, fishing policy.

Overview

The fishing industry includes any industry or activity that is concerned with marketing or selling of fish and fish products. This includes transportation as well as storing of fish and all kinds of commercial activities for the aim of delivering of fish and other seafood items for human consumption and sometimes for industrial purposes. Fishing activity in France has historical importance because of the availability of extensive coastlines and a wide range of fishing resources in the surrounding seas. France has activity in every ocean and is therefore ranked second after US in terms of having the largest sea territory in the world (www.frenchfoodintheus.org).

France is the fourth country in the European Union in terms of catches with near about 47 million tons of fish production by the fish industry and total sales of about 1 million euros. Albacore, sardine and skipjack are the most caught species. Fishing areas are mainly along four coastlines: the Mediterranean, the Bay of Biscay, the North Sea and the Celtic Seas with each having different kinds of species coming from them. Fish resources from The Mediterranean region are diversified and include sardines, anchovies and hakes while some red tuna and swrod fish can also be ...