Vatican Leader Warns Against Economic Model Harmful to Environment on World Fisheries Day
In a message released on Tuesday, November 12, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has sent out an urgent warning against the aggressive economic model that has harmed the environment in the fishing sector.
World Fisheries Day, celebrated every year on November 21, aims to highlight the importance of having sustainable stocks of fisheries around the world, eliminating illegal and unregulated fishing, and protecting human rights for small-scale fishing communities. This year's theme is "Let the waters teem with living creatures," inspired by the Book of Genesis.
Cardinal Czerny condemned the practices that have led to the degradation of the environment in the fishing sector, saying, "Fishing, which is one of the most ancient forms of human work, has greatly changed in many parts of the world." The uses of predatory practices and technology for the benefit of an increasingly influential minority, he warned, have caused harm to our common home.
With over 58 million people involved in the fisheries and aquaculture sector worldwide, Cardinal Czerny emphasized the need to prioritize care for the environment. "The Church shares in the joys and hopes but also the sorrows and grief" of humanity who must now place an emphasis on fraternity rather than "globalization of indifference," he said.
He recalled Pope Francis' words at the first World Meeting of Popular Movements, praising conscious efforts to take a stand against passivity and pessimism. The Pope's message was echoed by Cardinal Czerny as he urged lawmakers to defend small communities, family, and local organizations of fishermen who have the opportunity to contribute directly and effectively to the common good.
In 2022, the One Ocean Summit brought together 14 countries to combat illegal fishing and aim for sustainable management of fishery resources. This initiative has laid a step towards balance between individuals, work, and the environment.
This warning is a timely reminder of Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si', which highlighted the importance of care for the environment as a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity, and the shared responsibility to protect it. As the world fisheries sector continues to grow, Cardinal Czerny's message serves as a call for action on behalf of the Church and the international community.