London – 8 May 2026 – Environmental groups are calling for the UK Government to honour Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday by taking rapid action to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and implement the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency. 1 in 5 fish caught globally are linked to IUU fishing, while around 90% of the world’s fish populations are already overexploited or fished to their limits.
Attenborough’s 2025 documentary Ocean caused shockwaves across the country, showing the devastating impacts of bottom trawling on the seafloor for the very first time on screen. The documentary also highlighted the issues of bycatch, overfishing caused by subsidies, and made the case for marine protected areas.
The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT) – a global network of more than 60 civil society organizations pushing for accountability in fisheries management – says the best way to honour Attenborough’s achievements would be for the UK to implement the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, a set of 10 principles designed to tackle the leading causes of lack of transparency that contributes to IUU fishing activities. They are low- or no-cost, and can be implemented by any nation immediately.
Countries around the world – including the UK – are supporting the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency to shine a light into the dark corners of the fishing industry, from human rights abuses and modern slavery to illegally caught seafood.
Vivien Deloge, UK Coordinator of the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency, said, “Sir David Attenborough’s lifework obliges us to act without delay for safe, legal, and sustainable fishing, and emphasises more than ever the relevance of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency to that end.
“The CFT commends the UK Government for supporting the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency; we stand ready to assist them in implementing its ten principles and champion effective fisheries governance globally.”
Kyle Lischak, Head of UK at ClientEarth, said “Cracking down on IUU fishing is one of the most powerful actions we can take to protect our precious blue planet. Honouring Attenborough’s contributions in the UK by embracing the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency would be a major step forward and help tackle the worst offenders, protecting British coastal communities in the process.”
Lucy Kay, Public Affairs Manager (England) at Open Seas, said: “Sir David Attenborough has inspired for generations – bringing the natural world into our homes and highlighting not just how extraordinary our planet is, but how fragile as well. The oceans are no exception.
“His 100th birthday is a reminder of the responsibility we all share for protecting the natural systems we rely on, at sea and on shore. Transparent management of our seas, and the fisheries that depend on a healthy marine environment is an essential step to safeguard the seabed habitats and marine wildlife around the UK.”
###
The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency is a global network of more than sixty global civil society organisations that work together to improve transparency and accountability in fisheries governance and management. ClientEarth, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and Open Seas are leading the Coalition’s efforts in the United Kingdom to accelerate the adoption of the Principles of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency. Their work aims to help the UK champion effective fisheries governance globally to strengthen the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Learn more at fisheriestransparency.net.
Contact: Chip Weiskotten
Sr. Communications Manager, CFT
chip@fisheriestransparency.net
+1 518-669-3936
