Faiths for Oceans Launches Report on Global Fisheries
The Anglican delegation examines labor and ecological data in global supply chains to influence international climate policy.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Environmental
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At the COP17 climate summit in Yerevan, the Anglican delegation released a report examining the ethics of global fisheries. The document, titled The Moral Catch, was launched by the Faiths for Oceans group to highlight links between maritime labor, trade, and ecological health.
Why it matters
The report aims to integrate faith-based advocacy into international environmental policy, using specific case studies to track how fishing practices impact food security and ocean sustainability. It marks an effort to connect spiritual frameworks with global efforts to restore marine ecosystems.
The report utilizes 8 distinct case studies to map the complex pathways of fish through chains of labor, global trade, and corporate ownership. These findings supplement the work of 12 established eco-region networks currently operational across the US and Latin America.
The players
Bishop Cathleen Bascom
An Episcopal leader and advocate for environmental stewardship within the Anglican communion.
The Episcopal Church
A religious institution organizing eco-region networks across the US and Latin America to drive sustainability initiatives.
Faiths for Oceans
A coalition focused on tracking the ethics and ecological impact of global fisheries through research and advocacy.
The details
The report examines the human and environmental costs of industrial fishing by tracing commodities from extraction to market. The Episcopal Church supports this research through 12 eco-region networks, which link local communities to environmental conservation practices. By analyzing these supply chains, the report seeks to expose gaps in justice and sustainability that persist despite existing oversight.
Timeline
June 2025: Faiths for Oceans launched at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference.
22-29 October 2026: Anglican delegation attended COP17.
27 October 2026: Bishop Cathleen Bascom addressed a COP17 reception in Yerevan.
The Tech Race
This work builds on the momentum generated at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025. It aligns with the newly formed Faith's High Ambition Coalition for Ocean and Nature Action, signaling a shift toward formalized religious involvement in high-level ocean diplomacy.
The report provides a framework for tracking supply chain ethics that could influence purchasing policies for major food retailers. Interested stakeholders and policy researchers can utilize these findings to examine the sustainability of seafood sourced from regions like Senegal and Lake Victoria.
The takeaway
The report provides a new baseline for measuring the intersection of labor and ecology in the seafood industry. Observers should track whether the newly launched Faith's High Ambition Coalition for Ocean and Nature Action successfully integrates these case studies into formal UN policy agendas.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and initiatives in our Environmental section.
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