Harmful Practices that Contribute to Overfishing
Many problems contribute to the global issue of
overfishing. Fishing fleets that are 2-3
times larger than the ocean’s fish capacity, illegal “pirate” fishing, and high
consumer demand all perpetuate the harmful cycle of catching more fish and
ocean species than can be sustained or live to reproduce. In addition to these, there are several
harmful fishing methods that are causing great damage to ocean populations and
habitats. These include trawling and dredging,
“longline” fishing, and bycatch.
Trawling and dredging occur when fishermen use great nets or dredging systems to churn up the seafloor and to capture large
quantities of fish at one time. The
problem with this method is that it destroys the seafloor habitat in the
process. Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “SeafoodWatch” reports that “over one million pounds of deep water corals and sponges”
are removed by bottom trawls each year in Alaska alone, and that trawling
occurs up to 400 times a year off the North Sea in Denmark.
“Longline” fishing is a method by which the fishermen drag an
extended fishing line behind their boat.
This line can be as long as 50 miles and contains baited hooks along the
line that catch whatever crosses its path, even unintended fish, birds, sharks,
and turtles. Bycatch is a product of both
longline and trawling and is the unintended catch that is brought in with the
target fish. The excess fish or other
species are then discarded, killed, and wasted.
“Seafood Watch” also reports that for every pound of shrimp caught for commercial
purposes, for example, up to six pounds of other species are caught and discarded.
Alternative methods that are safer for ocean species and the
ocean environment are possible. Pots and
traps have been shown to be effective for seafloor catching, with little
invasion to the surrounding environment.
Hook and line methods can replace longline fishing and can prevent
bycatch as the fishermen are better able to release back into the ocean what
they do not want. The average person can
do their part by ensuring that their country regulates safe fishing
methods. Writing to your local
congressman or politician is an effective way to stir up interest on the
topic. You can also insist that your
local stores and restaurants buy their fish from companies that utilize
sustainable methods when fishing. A global effort to safeguard against harmful
practices that contribute to overfishing will bring about a global solution to
the problem.
Koster, Pepijn.
"Overfishing-A Global Disaster." 2011. overfishing.org. Web. 1
May 2012.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Foundation. "Wild Seafood Issue: Overfishing." 2012. Monterey Bay
Aquarium: Seafood Watch. Web. 1 May 2012.Image from NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
