Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet

by Hannah Ritchie

In most countries, commercial fishing vessels need a permit. They often have quotas controlling how much fish they are allowed to catch (more on this in the next chapter). We can monitor their movements and sailing patterns using basic GPS technology. The solution, then, is straightforward: someone checks how much equipment a vessel has when it goes out to sea, and this is cross-checked with how much it has on its return. If ropes, nets and lines have been lost or abandoned in severe weather, or intentionally dumped overboard, fishermen get a hefty fine, a temporary ban or their licence taken away from them. We’d need some contingency for them accidentally losing small pieces of gear – if a massive fish rips a line right out of their hands it seems harsh to punish them for that. Or we could use the ‘carrot’ approach. Fishermen could be incentivised to bring plastic waste back to land. Not only their own, but any rubbish they come across on their voyage.

Why arent we doing it?