OVERFISHING

Types, Causes, Consequences and Possible Solutions to Overfishing

Table of Content

Introduction1

Causes of Depleting Fish Resources2

1.Technology2

2.Open access and over-capacity3

3.By-catch3

Consequences of Overfishing4

1.Environmental Consequences4

2.Economic Costs4

Actions & Solutions5

Conclusion6

References8

Causes, Consequences and Possible Solutions to Overfishing

Thesis Statement

“Excessive exploitation has led to decline in fish species”.

Introduction

Various negative impacts on marine ecosystems are caused by fishing activities. Seventy two percent of the world's fish stocks were being yielded before than they could reproduce in 2002. Extensive commercial fishing is rapidly depleting the fish population, and this is the greatest contemporary concern for environmentalists (FAO, 2009).

Many scientists believe that one of the greatest impacts of human activity on oceans is overfishing. The vulnerability of ocean ecosystems is increased as a result of overfishing. This may cause a decline of various species of marine mammals and birds. In the year 2000, hundred million tons was the record figure for total fisheries production.

A serious decline in many fish species is caused by this markedly excessive exploitation of the fish resources. An estimated one billion people belonging to the low-income countries are chiefly dependent on fish as their primary source of food, therefore, declining fisheries throughout the globe are a rising concern (Le Sann, 1998). Nearly sixteen percent of the animal protein consumed by humans is supplied by fish. From large-scale mechanized fishing vessels to subsistence fisherman, approximately two hundred million people are directly or indirectly employed by the fishing industry throughout the globe (Acheson, 2003).

A large number of countries depend on fisheries as their primary source of economic development. Forty seven percent of the fish stocks worldwide are fully exploited, and eighteen percent of the global fish stock is overexploited according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (FAO, 2009). Shrinking harvests has pushed up the prices of most of the fish species, which is gradually turning fish into an unaffordable food source amongst the lower-income population segments.

Simply put, overfishing can be defined as the process of harvesting more fish from the population it can bear. However, various meanings of this word exist. Overfishing can be associated with a number of causes and consequences.

Causes of Depleting Fish Resources

Technology

One of the major causes for depleting fish resources in the United States is the highly elaborate fishing technology of modern times. Furnished with thousands of hook, the range of these fishing lines is as far as one hundred and twenty kilometers in length. A volume equal to nearly twelve jumbo jets can be taken on board by these fishing lines. Drift nets can go beyond their sixty kilometers length. From the coastal zone to high seas, fishing vessels travel large distances at high speeds. All this technology mentioned previously, helps maintain a continuous supply of fresh fish during all seasons throughout the globe.

Bottom trawling is the process which involves dragging metal weighed, heavy nets in order to catch the maximum possible amount of fish dwelling in the bottom of the seabed. Bottom trawling has severely detrimental effects on the sea-bed habitat. An area of nearly twice the size of ...