Presented global project Fish Forward
At the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb WWF experts responded to key issues related to sustainable fishing, followed by a culinary show
Zagreb – Today at the Esplanade Hotel, the World Wildlife Fund for wildlife conservation and endangered species presented an initiative for sustainable fishing. Within the project financed by the European Union, implemented throughout 11 EU countries, the WWF will seek to increase consumer awareness of global environmental and social consequences of the consumption of fishery products. Additionally, they will work closely with the fishery sector in order to achieve a shift towards sustainable fishing.
“Sustainable fishing is a global issue which not only negatively affects marine ecosystems, but equally affects the lives of millions of people,” says Daniel Kanski, an expert on fisheries at WWF Adria. “The sustainable and responsible attitude toward marine resources can provide enough seafood for a growing human population, and create co-existence between humans and nature without negative consequences,” explained Kanski.
During the launch, fishery experts from the WWF, as well as representatives of other sectors spoke on the issue of sustainable fishing. Nikola Vidak, IKEA food manager, presented the company’s global strategy whereby all fishery products in their stores come from sustainable sources, emphasizing that such a thing is feasible and makes a big difference. Sanda Sokol, PR and Marketing Manager of the Esplanade added that she undoubtedly recognizes the importance of this project as does the Ambassador and Chef de cuisine, Ana Grgić, who tries to include more sustainable products from fisheries in her menus and in turn, enables guests to choose fish that comes from sustainable sources.
Equally, without making customers aware that their decision to purchase and select fish and other fishery products have a real impact on the environment, the economy and other people, there will not be a long-term significant shift. Therefore, in this initiative, the WWF joined forces with creative agency Red Point and the daily journal 24 Hours, which, together with its partners work to ensure that the key messages that contribute to improving the state of the sea are widely heard.
“The work on sustainable fishing and promoting fishery products that come from sustainable sources is not and should not be the task of a single organization, or even one sector. At a time when there is less fish and the demand is constantly growing, there should only be a common united approach. All interested parties, in cooperation with the end customers can achieve significant results and return the fish to the sea,” said Kaniski.
The retail sector also plays an important role in rebuilding fish stocks, and enhancing the living conditions of fishermen and their families, not only in Croatia but equally in developing countries. To enable customers to choose sustainable products from fisheries, retail chains, as well as restaurants, such products must be featured in their offer. On the other hand, customers are those who must demand the increase of sustainable products from fisheries to the store shelves and restaurant menus in a greater force.
40 key people attended the WWF presentation for sustainable fishing including representatives from scientific institutions, retail chains, and companies from fishery and fish farming sectors. There were also several Croatian celebrities such as Barbara Kolar and Marina Orsag, along with Ana Grgić, Chef de cuisine at the Esplanade Hotel, Ambassador of the WWF initiative who all united to promote sustainable fishing products.
For more information:
Martina Šubašić, communications and corporate relations officer / +385 95 256 7773 / [email protected]
About the WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in over one hundred countries. The WWF mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature while preserving global biodiversity. It also ensures the use of sustainable renewable natural resources and promotes the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. For further information: www.panda.org/media About WWF in the region: adria.panda.org