The fish in the water are dead.

NPR: Oil Slick Threatens Lebanese Coast

However critics say this has led to the problem of "discarding" where dead or alive fish are thrown back into the water because quotas have been met.

BBC: Fisheries debate

That should help prevent the ludicrous situation in which large quantities of dead fish are thrown overboard because a vessel has reached the limit of its legal quota.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Politics | 'Dismay' at proposed fishing reforms

However critics say the policy has failed, with increasing instances of "discarding" where dead or alive fish are thrown back into the water because quota levels have already been reached.

BBC: Common Fisheries Policy Green Paper

Almost a quarter of all catches go back overboard dead because they are not the fish the crews intended to catch.

BBC: EU ministers back fish dumping ban