Overfishing: pressure on our oceans

Daniel Jonathan Bardey

doi:10.3329/ralf.v6i3.44805

Abstract

An increased demand for fish, combined with ever-growing global populations our oceans cannot keep up with the rate at which we are fishing our seas. As coastal fisheries declined, fishing started to expand into using open oceans as a resource leading to an 80% decline in bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in just 5 years. Though overfishing for specific species can be beneficial, and even more surprisingly it’s encouraged. Off the coast of America, a new threat has been growing in recent years, the red lion fish (Pterois volitans). This species originally native to coral reefs in the South Pacific has recently found a new home the Atlantic Ocean. Target fishing the Lionfish will not only help reduce population size, minimize the chances of the Lion fish causing greater ecological damage on the Atlantic Ocean. Is moving public perception and demand towards invasive the next steps in protecting our fisheries? Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(3): 397-404, December 2019

Highlights

Since the dawn of time man has settled by water, whether by sea or river, relying on marine environments as an essential resource for food, water and transport
Even today according to the, The Food and Agricultural organization of the United Nations (FAOUN) (2019) over 1 billion people are still largely dependent on fish as their primary source of protein, with many of these being in developing countries with urbanized coastal areas
As local small-scale coastal fisheries declined, fishing has started to expand on a huge commercial scale into open oceans leading to huge impacts on wildlife populations of fish species

Summary

Introduction

Since the dawn of time man has settled by water, whether by sea or river, relying on marine environments as an essential resource for food, water and transport. This food fish supply is increasing at a rate 3.2% each year since 2005, far out pacing the world population growth 1.6% (FAOUN 2018). An increased demand for fish, combined with ever-growing global populations sees our oceans struggle to keep up with the rate at which we are fishing our seas.

Results

Conclusion