Book excerpt: This book draws together the views of 24 contributors from across the Commonwealth on the state of marine capture fisheries. They confirm the assessments of both the World Bank and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation that world fisheries are in very poor biological and economic health. They explain why fisheries are unsustainable and wasteful, and are unlikely to be able to meet the needs of the future without radical change. At greatest risk are the livelihoods of those who depend upon fisheries for their daily food and subsistence. Their vulnerability is increased and resilience further reduced by the threat of climate change. Marine capture fisheries are not delivering what society needs and the authors collectively assert and establish that the greatest barriers are in the deficiencies of current fisheries governance and management arrangements. What is needed is a fresh approach to policy and legal frameworks and the political will to effect real change. The authors and editors call on the Commonwealth of Nations, with its depth of experience and breadth of co-operative ability, to take a fresh look at the issue and lead the process of change.