Earlier this year I joined the Black Fish Citizen Inspector Network, which takes concrete action against overfishing by training ordinary people to collect evidence of illegal fishing practices. I now know all sorts of interesting things about fish aggregation devices and exclusive economic zones, and worrying things about the imminent and irreversible collapse of biodiversity in the ocean. The certificate says Citizen Inspector, but I prefer to think of myself as a Fish Detective.

Excitingly, I will be going to Sicily in September to take part in an undercover investigation. We’re going to investigate the illegal catch of juvenile fish, and the illegal use of fish aggregation devices (which attract fish and create a mini-ecosystem, which is then hauled out wholesale). Many species in the Mediterranean are on the brink of collapse, and illegal fishing practices are preventing them from recovering.

We need to intervene right now, because (in the words of the EU #MEDFISH4EVER campaign) the extraordinary biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea is in grave danger, and failure to act soon could result in irreversible damage. Right now 93% of Mediterranean fish stocks are overfished, and 90% of all big fish have gone in the last 50 years.

I need to crowdfund £310 to contribute towards the funding of the investigation: this will cover basic costs like food and accommodation. If you can contribute, please let me know your address so I can send you a postcard from the field!

Citizen Inspector Training London 2018