Courtesy Environmental Justice Foundation

He might have played one of the best-loved pirates on the silver screen, but Johnny Depp has hit out at the real-life villains of the high seas.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean star has backed the Environmental Justice Foundation to highlight the illegal plunder of our oceans by pirate fishing vessels. In a letter in support of EJF he urges an immediate response to the crisis before it is too late.

Johnny Depp says:

"Our seas and the people that depend upon them are facing a critical threat.

Pirate fishing operations are plundering fish stocks the world over, which in turn undermine all attempts at their sustainable management, already under pressure from widespread misdirection.

The devastating impact of this illegal form of fishing is felt not only by our marine ecosystems, but also by the millions of people living in some of the world's poorest countries who rely on healthy fish stocks as an essential source of both food and employment.

Just so you know, this is not a problem without cure, but we have to act now if we are to protect our marine-life's biodiversity and food security for future generations. It is more important than you, or any of us, can at this moment even begin to understand.

That is why I support the work of the Environmental Justice Foundation to raise awareness and provide 'real-world' solutions to the issue. Their efforts to engage in effective action to protect both people and planet will help to bring an end to pirate fishing, once and for all".

Learn more and take action to Save the Sea, visit Save the Sea: Defending Oceans.

Pirate Fishing — The Facts:

• 75% of the world's fish stocks are fully exploited, over-exploited or depleted.
• 90% of the world's large ocean species like cod, halibut and swordfish have been lost since the 1950's.
• An estimated 7.3 million tonnes of non-target and often endangered marine species are discarded annually by the world's fisheries — these are known as 'by-catch'.
• In one 8 month period 4 illegal, "pirate", Moroccan driftnet vessels caught 237 dolphins; 498 blue sharks; 542 short-fin mako; 464 thresher sharks; and 46 loggerhead turtles along with 2,990 swordfish — which was the target species.
• Sub-Saharan Africa loses over a billion dollars in stolen fish annually directly impacting on people's livelihoods and basic food security.

Pirate Fishing — 3 ways to 'Save the Sea':

1. When shopping for fish look on the label to ensure you are buying certified, sustainable fish. Always ask your supermarket or fishmonger if they know where the fish they sell is legally and sustainably-caught.
2. Buy EJF's organic cotton 'Save The Sea' t-shirt from www.ejfoundation.org/shop — all proceeds go to the charity.
3. Be more informed and tell your friends about the issues - sign online petitions, look at films and download reports from the EJF website.