Overfishing is the depletion of fish populations because of too much fishing. Overfishing has become a huge issue throughout the world. There are fewer fish, food and jobs. Overfishing also has dramatic effects on the surrounding marine life. With the increase of overfishing there's an increase in bycatch, unwanted fish or other marine organisms that are caught. In the gulf of Mexico scientist estimate for every pound of shrimp caught by fishermen using bottom trawlers, a fishing method, four to ten pounds of marine organisms are thrown overboard as bycatch. When these unwanted organisms are thrown overboard there's a slim chance that these animals will survive. Overfishing also hurts the food chain. When one species of fish is overfished to the point of possible extinction, all other organism suffer. Removing a link in a food chain can cause negative effects to any environment.
This is also true for the ocean. More than 85% of the world’s fish stocks have been overfished, pushing species beyond their biological limits, to recover these fish populations will need extensive protection. The whole human population continues to increase yearly, and with this increase there's a higher demand for fish. Fisherman continue to try and meet this demand and ignore scientist warnings about the depleting fish populations. Since the 1960’s the fish production has increased at an average of 3.2% per year. If we continue with this increase of fish production some scientist predict that by 2061 there will be no more edible fish left in the oceans.
We need to be advocates for the fish. The government should include new laws that enforce the scientific quota's on fishing. Scientist set the limitation based on the number of a particular fish so the population has room to grow back. The fishermen and the government need to notice there's a problem with the depletion of the fish stock. Even if the fish population increases its not an excuse to continue to overfish. There needs to be a balance between fisherman and fish. That starts with fisherman and fishing companies learning sustainable angling methods. The Sierra Club urges state and federal agencies to adopt 9 sustainable fishing policies (Link to Sierra Club Sustainable Marine Fisheries Policy). We need the public to be educated on this issue, to understand we need to take action now if we are to reverse the effects of overfishing, and to advocate for the organisms that share our planet with us.
Even in Ohio far away from the ocean we can still make a difference in helping increase the fish stocks. Some things that people can do is go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. On this website there's a list of different fish that are ranked as either “Best Choices” or “Good Alternatives” or “Avoid”. To access the list you search the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. Click on which state you want to learn more about and a list will come up with what fish you should or should not eat to promote sustainable fisheries (click on this link).
With an increase in fish population comes an increase in health of the oceans ecosystems. This means more links put back in the food chain, populations of fish return to the appropriate numbers, the side effects of bycatch will decrease, people won’t lose their jobs, and people can continue to enjoy eating fish. Fish help humans and other marine organisms alike and increasing the population will only benefit the oceans and people around us.
Mary Claire Fibbe