What is overfishing?
Fishing is big business. The fishing industry drains around $ 240 million a year worldwide.
Overfishing is one of the main factors responsible for the decline in marine wildlife. Catching fish is not harmful to the oceans. However, when the fishing activity reaches massive dimensions with great speed, it becomes difficult for the marine population to reconstitute itself. In other words, overfishing occurs when a species is fished beyond its natural reproductive capacity. It is the act of removing more from the environment than it can reproduce.
Some fishing practices turn out to be more harmful than others, such as the "trawl" example, a non-selective fishing practice. That is, instead of fishing for the desired species, they end up capturing different species, causing the unnecessary loss of billions of fish, along with hundreds of thousands of sea turtles and cetaceans. In addition, this practice not only eliminates the different species but also their habitats, since the trawl is one of the main reasons for the loss of reefs.
Overfishing not only jeopardizes marine ecosystems, but also the billions of people who depend on fish as an essential source of protein.
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Among the most fished species are bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, hake, Greenland halibut, tropical shrimp and shrimp, among many others (you can find the full list on the Greenpeace Red List). With the world population increasing daily, the consumption of fish also increases, which means more fishing.
According to WWF , if we continue to consume fish at the current rate, stocks of all species currently fished for food could be depleted by 2048.
Juan Moro from Getty Images
Can we reverse the situation?
With supply unable to meet demand, new, more sustainable approaches must be implemented.
1. LIMIT FISHING
There must be certain limits for catching fish. Fishing vessels must follow national and local rules (regulations) when fishing. These rules are designed to protect fish resources and make fishing responsible.
The General Directorate for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM) presents some of the main management measures applicable to fishing for some of the main species in national waters. ( Click here to find out more )
These rules would have a positive impact if they were strictly followed by fishermen and fishing companies. However, the fight is proving difficult, as fishermen compete to catch as many fish as possible for the most profit.
Source: Istock
2. SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION
Overfishing has caused depletion of fish stocks. People are unaware that the fish they eat is in short supply. Species are dying.
It is up to us to change our consumption habits and choose sustainability. Avoiding buying endangered fish species will help to decrease demand and reduce the number of fish caught by fishing companies.
The Fish Forward - an awareness project for the social and environmental impacts of fish consumption - was created in 2018 with the aim of sensitizing consumers to choose fish sustainably. To learn more about the choice of sustainable fish, visit the project's Fish Guide.
3. PROHIBIT ILLEGAL PRACTICE
The illegal fishing practice carried out by groups of irresponsible fishermen damages marine life at high levels. They want to make a profit, without thinking about the consequences.
Unregistered fishing companies and foreign fishing vessels are responsible for this illegal practice.
If the illegal practice continues, the damage caused will be even more difficult to control. Combating this crime will help fisheries to develop and maintain the fish stock at an allowable level.
The Sea Sheperd , for example, an international non -profit marine conservation that engages in direct action campaigns to protect wildlife, conserve and protect the world's oceans from illegal exploitation and environmental destruction.
4. CREATE MORE PROTECTED MARINE AREAS
Currently, less than 2% of the oceans are protected from any type of fishing. There should be more areas without catches to allow fish stocks and their ecosystems to recover and replenish themselves to ensure fishing for future generations.
5. END THE DRAGON FISHING
As previously mentioned, trawls sweep the seafloor leaving only destruction. In addition, several species are captured unnecessarily and thrown into the sea after being killed.
Prohibiting this practice will save many marine lives. This will make it easier to keep the number of fish caught under control.
6. SOCIETY AWARENESS
Use of advertising, newspapers, social networks and any other type of social communication channels to inform society that anyone can help in the fight against overfishing. Let's get together to make the change.