Overfishing In Australia Essay

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Recommended: The problem of overfishing

1.0 Introduction

Overfishing occurs when fishes are harvested at a rate that exceeds the natural reproduction rate. Although harvesting fishes in great amount can be profitable, it can reflect serious consequences as well. Not only is overfishing a problem in Australia today, it will continue to be a problem in the future. This report will explain the causes, effects and solutions of overfishing.

1.1 Example of overfishing

One example that results overfishing is the Southern Bluefin Tuna. The Bluefin tuna is classified as “severely endangered” due to its declining population and fixed spawning site. Since the Bluefin tuna faces threats, commercial and recreational fishermen target on their young, making profits from the high risk species (Australian Marine Conservation Society, 2016).

2.0 Causes of overfishing
2.1 By-catch

By-catch contributes significantly to the overfishing issue in Australia. It is defined as the unintentional catch of fishes when catching targeted species. Nets spread underwater and haul in untargeted fish species, therefore they are thrown back into the water either dying or already dead. According to WAITT Institute (n.d.), …show more content…

It destructs the basic function of marine ecosystem, causing imbalance in marine life. The population of marine species decreases as overfishing continues, with 13.5% of fish stocks overfished in Australia (Australian Marine Conservation Society, 2016). Overfishing changes the ecosystem in many ways. This includes the extinction of fish species, loss of habitats and damage seafloor physically. Coral reefs that act as hiding place from predators, are highly damaged due to overfishing, therefore threatening the lives of endangered species. Similarly, without corals to take in carbon dioxide, the amount of gas in the atmosphere will increase, thus affect all life negatively. Hence, it is clear that overfishing has dreadful ecological

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