How Overfishing is Pushing Our Oceans to the Brink

Photo Credit: https://sustainablefoodtrust.org/news-views/fixing-overfishing/

Our oceans are very crucial parts of Earth's ecosystem, providing a home for millions of marine species and food to billions of people worldwide. Yet today, overfishing is worse than it has ever been, with fishing occurring at rates higher than the ability of fish to reproduce. Overfishing has a host of adverse impacts on the environment, from threatening marine biodiversity to jeopardizing our food security.

So how does overfishing occur? 

The high demand for seafood is the first concern that persists. Demand has risen rapidly across the globe because of a rise in population, but also the health benefits of its consumption are globally widely known. Fish are packed with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and other forms of essential nutrients that are hugely appealing to consumers. It places a great deal of pressure on the fishing industries to grow more fish with increasing speed. Besides, fishing technology has advanced recently, hence the over-exploiting of fish. To begin with, this high-end technology in fishing has made the exercise easy for commercial fisheries, as it is now able to collect massive numbers within no time. A specific class of vessels known as trawlers is designed to carry massive nets used to make hauls, of which become hold non-target fish as well. Other species that may fall victim include turtles and dolphins, which get trapped accidentally.

IUU fishing (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) is often found in international waters, where accountability is minimal. A statistic from Our Shared Seas estimated that IUU fishing amounts to a high 20% of the world's catch, with an estimated quantity ranging between 11-26 million tonnes per year, translating into economic losses amounting to 10-23.5 billion dollars. Furthermore, corruption plays a role in some regions. AP News reports numerous investigations where officials were bribed to allow illegal fishing, exacerbating overfishing. According to Open Knowledge FAO, approximately 33% of global stocks are overfished, which means that they are being caught at incredibly unsustainable levels. 

What can we do?

The establishment of effective regulations and their enforcement, particularly in international waters, need to be acted upon to reduce illegal fishing and ensure sustainable practices. Strengthening agreements like PSMA and using satellite tracking technology to ensure compliance with global fishing activities. Similar to the promotion of seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, it encourages responsible fishing and reduces harmful bycatch. Furthermore, we can take action to support aquaculture and alternative protein sources-plant-based or lab-grown fish-meet seafood demand without depleting wild populations. Additionally, helping consumers make sustainable seafood choices-in part through programs like Monterey Bay Aquarium's "Seafood Watch"-empowers them with choices supporting responsible fisheries. Community-managed fishing quotas and marine protected areas are examples of community-based conservation, where fishing communities can safeguard fish stocks by securing their livelihood. All these options are great ways to reduce overfishing and create a more sustainable industry.