Designer Philip Colbert has launched an exclusive ‘Cod Save the Sea’ t-shirt at London Fashion Week in support of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF)’s work to end ‘pirate’ fishing.
The organic, ethically-made, low-carbon t-shirts have been available from ASOS (www.asos.com ) for £25 from Friday 16th September 2011.
The Cod Save the Sea t-shirt is part of The Rodnik Band’s Spring Summer 2012 collection which is inspired by EJF’s work to end illegal ‘pirate’ fishing. The collection also includes his signature ‘art dresses’ which come in every aquatic shade from a fish and chips ball gown to a submarine trench coat.
As fish become scarcer, illegal ‘pirate’ fishing has become one of the greatest threats to our oceans. By ignoring fisheries laws and often using destructive fishing gear, pirate fishing operators cause massive damage to the marine environment. Many species such as dolphins, turtles and seabirds are caught and discarded as bycatch, dead or dying.
Healthy fish stocks provide income, livelihoods and food security for coastal fishing communities. In turn these contribute to improved health, education and standards of living.
Fishing is crucial to both local and national economies in many countries, particularly in the developing world.
Philip Colbert the designer (pictured with model here) says the collaboration has allowed him to create a strong message behind the clothes. “EJF is leading environmental charity, and have done amazing work to reduce pirate fishing, which has greatly affected the world’s fish stocks, causing massive damage to the wider marine ecosystem and the food security and livelihoods of poor coastal communities in developing countries”
Mr. Colbert’s designs walk a satirical line between art and fashion, and play on the idea of wearable art. The Rodnik Band label is said to represent a unique union of music, art and fashion.
EJF Director Steve Trent also voiced the charity’s aims in collaborating with the fashion house.
He says “This creative and dynamic project by The Rodnik Band is connecting consumers to the plight of coastal communities inWest Africa, showing their support for international action to protect our shared oceans and the lives and livelihoods of some of the poorest people on the planet.”
The charity has been investigating, documenting and exposing IUU – ‘pirate’ – fishing since 2004, with a current focus on the negative environmental, social and economic impacts inWest Africa. A donation of £10 from the sale of each t-shirt goes to the EJF
