OVERFISHING

Overfishing

Name of the Writer

Name of the Institution

Abstract

This paper discusses public policy with reference to Overfishing. The paper also examines present factual background and evaluate alternative polices for overfishing. This paper also provides recommendation about overfishing public policy.

Overfishing

Introduction

Scientists have been discussing overfishing for more than hundred years. Numerous models have been developed to quantify the overfishing concept during the mid 1900s. Schaefer stock production model, Beverton and Holt dynamic pool model, and Thompson and Bell model are well-known models of overfishing.

In the mid 1970s, almost all nations took an initiative over the scientific overfishing concept to facilitate public policy, as well as drive towards extension of jurisdiction of about 200 miles and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNLOS). This drive accelerated with the FAO Code of Conduct and UN Fish Stocks Agreement (UNLOS amendment) for fisheries during the mid 1990s. During 20th Century, the World Summit on Sustainable Development has emphasized on reconstruction overfished stocks. For instance, Sustainable Fisheries Act in US prevents overfishing and needed overfishing stocks rebuilding.

Discussion

Policy Problem

There is a number of overfishing definitions but one point is similar in all that is to say catching a large quantity of fishes to support system, which results in overall system degradation. Non-sustainable use of oceans is known as overfishing. Some common definitions of overfishing are as below:

Non-commercial and commercial practice of fishing that lessen a fishery by catching a large number of adult fish, which lead to replenish the breed, as well as surpass the transporting or storing capacity of a fishery capacity. Overfishing also refers to catching too many fishes that make it difficult to sustain the population of fishes, until there will be no fishes to catch. Another definition states that fishing with high intensity which reduces stock levels and so reduces breeding to such an extent that no fishes will be left for commercial or sport use.

The global fleets of fishing are three times larger than the needs of present day catches of marine species, particularly fishes. Two yearly reports were published by FAO on the aquaculture and fisheries of the world. The report demonstrates key facts, which demonstrate that 52 percent stocks of fish are fully utilized, 20 percent are moderately exploited, 17 percent are over-utilized, 7 percent are depleted, and 1 percent is recovering from depletion. This resulted in the emergence of two serious problems includes lose of marine species and ecosystems. These problems lead to the entire ecological oceans unity to the collapse risk. Another risk is the losing valuable source of food that is fish because of economical, dietary or social reasons.

The problem of overfishing also has an adverse effect on public health, economy and ocean ecosystems. Overfishing obviously has an effect on fishes, but there is no more abundance of fishes in the ocean. Furthermore, the negative effects of overfishing can be seen in the spawns malnutrition and global economy.

Maintenance and preservation of fisheries at a healthy level makes economic sense, but ...