Effects Of Overfishing

The oceans are the most important food providers on Earth, with its fish being the main source of protein for nearly 1.2 billion people, but the issue of overfishing causes fishermen to return home empty-handed more often. To overfish is to “deplete the stock of fish in a body of water by excessive fishing” (Oxford Dictionaries Web). Overfishing has begun around 1950, and all fish species may collapse within the next 50 years according to some scientists (Mosbergen Web). The depletion of fish species is caused by industrial fishing boats that install on average 1.4 billion hooks annually, with a fish serving as bait at the end of each hook. Likewise, these boats may throw nets that can catch 500 tons of fish, with openings of up to 23 000 meters squared. Fishermen have tried to remedy this problem with aquaculture. However, the latter does not create more fish as it simply trades low valued fish for higher valued ones since most farmed fish are carnivorous (Mosbergen Web). The overlooked problem of overfishing causes the depletion of fish stocks, involves inhumane killings of intelligent animals, and has staggering external costs such as by-catches and the destruction of a balanced ecosystem.

Current fishing operations negatively impacts and reduces fish stocks. International fishing limits are set above scientific recommendations; this prevents scarce stocks of certain species to restore. Scientists have recommended a capture of 10 000 tons of Bluefin tuna in 2008 in order to allow the species to recover. The European Union and other governments have set the limit to 29 500 tons, three times greater than the appropriate amount; however 61 000 tons of the fish have actually been reeled in (Mosbergen Web). Not only do these regul...

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...ve significantly reduced available fish stocks by failing to limit catches of endangered or threatened species such as the Bluefin tuna. The regeneration of the marine biodiversity is slow, and citizens have done everything but help. Additionally, the slaughter of dolphins and protected animals like the whale shark adds to the downsides of overfishing. Also, in order to sell to consumers the desired fish species, astonishing numbers of by-catch have to be rid of. Sometimes, less than half of the captured fish is brought back to the shore. The problem of overfishing further disrupts intricate ecosystems maintained by the already threatened coral reefs. Their destruction is synonym to a loss of habitat and refuge to numerous different marine animals. Overfishing must be the main concern of modern society because billions of people depend of fish stocks to survive.