Sandeels, sailors, sandals and suits: The strategy of the environmental movement in relation to the fishing industry

The environmental movement is taking an increasing interest in the fishing industry. Evidence of this includes Greenpeace's 1996 campaign against Danish vessels fishing for sandeels off Scotland, the involvement of environmental non‐governmental organisations (ENGOs) in the Intermediate Ministerial Meeting of the North Sea Conference in 1997, and the World Wide Fund for Nature's co‐sponsorship with Unilever of the Marine Stewardship Council in 1997 to introduce an eco‐labelling system for fish caught in sustainable fisheries. Here the issue is explored by discussing the rationale for the ENGO's increasing engagement with commercial fishing, and by analysing the three case studies mentioned. Five lessons are drawn for ENGO/fishing industry relations.