With more than 58 million people engaged in fishing, Cardinal Michael Czerny has issued a message for World Fisheries Day, warning against aggressive economic models that are having a negative impact on the environment.
Written by Kielce Gassy
Every year, the United Nations celebrates World Fisheries Day on 21 November to highlight the importance of ensuring sustainable fish stocks around the world, eliminating illegal and unregulated fishing, and promoting the human rights of small-scale fishing communities. I’m emphasizing. This year’s theme is “Fill the Waters with Life,” inspired by the Book of Genesis.
On Tuesday, November 12, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Vatican Bishopric for the Promotion of Integrated Human Development, published a message reflecting on the importance of this day.
Fishing: an ancient form of work
“Fishing, one of the oldest forms of human occupation, has changed significantly in many parts of the world,” the governor explained. The cause of this change addresses “the damage done to our common home.” The relationship between human work and environmental care has become unbalanced by the use of “predatory practices and technologies for the benefit of an increasingly influential and powerful minority.”
More than 58 million people work in the fisheries and aquaculture sector
With more than 58 million people around the world involved in fishing and aquaculture, Cardinal Czerny warned against turning a blind eye to actions that ignore environmental considerations. He said “the Church shares not only the joys and hopes but also the sorrows and laments” of humanity, which must focus on fraternity rather than “globalization of indifference” to protect and preserve the environment. Ta.
“Beyond negativity and pessimism”
The Governor recalled the words of Pope Francis at the First World Congress of Popular Movements and praised their conscious efforts to fight passivity and pessimism. The Pope said their “most important contribution” was to take the initiative rather than retreat.
This requires a focus on leveraging technology to “protect the dignity and safety of work and restore balance between individuals, work and the environment,” the governor explained. He called on lawmakers to champion small communities, families and local organizations of fishermen. They have the opportunity to “contribute directly and effectively to the common good.”
As a step towards this, the 2022 One Ocean Summit was held, with 14 countries pledging to fight illegal fishing with the aim of managing fisheries resources sustainably.
In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, the Pope warned against the exploitation and destruction of the environment.
Pope champions the environment
Cardinal Cerny concluded by quoting Pope Francis, emphasizing the importance of open prayer: “Since creation comes from creation, we share in what is destined for all.” did.
Caring for humanity’s common home has been a continuing theme of Francis’ pontificate. In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, the Pope warned against the exploitation and destruction of the environment and urged everyone to see the environment as “a common good, the property of all humanity and the responsibility of all.” appealed to people.
