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Tyler Jarrard
Miss Stone
English 1010 period 8
1/5/16
Overfishing

Ocean overfishing is simply the taking of wildlife from the sea at rates too high
for fished species to replace themselves (National Geographic --- pristine seas).
Seafood is undebatably one of the most popular groups of cuisine throughout the world.
A way to describe how the world views the ocean is as an enormous farm field, where
free unlimited food resources can be taken out and will just simply regrow more to fulfill
the need. Although the amount of fish we are pulling out of the ocean is too much for
nature to recover the way it has for untold time, some have said it is a hoax. That said,
why should we care?
The topic of overfishing was chosen because it is a serious issue, one that is
most often overlooked and ignored. Seafood is a source of protein relied on by millions
across the world, and the loss of this needed source would change the planet. Even so,
the fish populations are vital to sustaining sea life. Overall, unsustainable fishing will
damage economies that rely on the sea for food. A reason that few recognise declining
ocean populations, is because global fish production has grown, we have begun to rely
on fish farms and other sources to make up for the ever lowering numbers of sea
creatures. So we havent even noticed the damage. In research of this project I have
found three main views on the problem at hand. Each view being similar, but different in
data.

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Main view number one states that fish may not survive. Preaching just how highly
destructive overfishing is, in the 1800s whales were the first case of overfishing
recorded (Pristine Seas), as the population was nearly wiped out for lamp oil. Now,
fishing efforts for many species have been showing increasingly less yields. In the mid
1900s fisheries were booming, and in the late 80s the fisheries hit a high point and
have declined ever since. Many fisheries have been overexploited, meaning 90% of the
original population has been destroyed. Our seemingly endless supply of fish if not
monitored, has been calculated that it may disappear in less than 40 years, resulting in
farmed fish or lake fish to feed the demand for seafood. In order to save the sea life
populations, aggressive management of fisheries will need to be done. In addition,
bycatch (fish caught other than the targeted species) will have to be drastically reduced
with better methods of harvesting. Many current methods of collection involve dragging
massive and heavy nets across the ocean floor. Which, highly damages seabeds, and
yields huge amounts of bycatch. Several websites that support this point have a timer
showing when fish in the ocean are destroyed. According to World Wildlife, that
happens in 2048, meaning the oceans fish would be gone. (Unsustainable fishing,
WWF).
The second common view is similar to the first, but has a different ending. Many
organizations are studying the fish populations and have noted that fisheries will all
collapse is we dont do something. Ever focused on the bright side they show that we
are already slowly making a difference. With enough support, these organizations can
help slow the decline of the populations, and recover them. Global fish production has
grown, although, fish farming has replaced much of ocean catch, ocean catch has gone

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down while farming replaces the losses and more. Many show that buying farmed fish,
and well managed fisheries already is making a difference for ocean populations. Take
the example of Alaskas Salmon, the worlds most intensely managed species of fish.
Given that no one in the business of salmon wants them to disappear, they only take the
fish when the time is right. In doing so the fish has given higher yields, and the
("Over-Fishing." Speak Up For Blue)
population is increasing. What differentiates this Idea from the others, is that it shines
more on hope and improvement. This idea gives ways how individuals can help the
cause in other forms than donating. Overfishing.org gives three main and simple ways:
Be Informed: read up the the topic. Learn about the issue, and how you can make a
positive difference; Know what you are eating, what kinds of fish that are not

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endangered from overfishing, and get those as an alternative.; Spread the word: Let
others know about overfishing so they can make informed decisions too. (how can I
help?, Overfishing.org)
The last common view is basically as follows. Fish populations have declined, but
the loss of fish has been exaggerated. The data from fisheries has been hard to get in
countries with little fish management. Countries such as the U.S with relatively high
fishery management, can give such data. However countries such as, lets say china,
do not give that data, although they account for a majority of fishing with a population of
over a billion. Much of the problem from overfishing is from illegal fishing, usually in
restricted areas or not following regulations. (overfishing, World Wildlife) This view
relies on that fisheries are not doing that bad, but given what has already been
done.The idea fails to mention that if humans have destroyed 33% instead of 90% of a
population in less than 50 years, it will not be that hard to bring that eventually up to
100% with a rising demand for seafood, and world human population growth.
(Exaggerated Claims About Over-Fishing Of The Oceans?, Dave Cohen) Many
Skeptics take up this view, searching for differences in data, and using those as
arguments. Which, as most experiments show, data varies by time and location as
variables change.
I learned a lot from this research project. There is lots of information (though
much of it was repetitive) to search through, involving graphs, data reports, articles, etc.
Lots of organizations are dedicated to helping end overfishing. There is little debate that
it is not a problem, even the low end of overfishing data shows that many fish
populations are down 33%, whereas the high ends can show 95% losses. One thing I

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learned was how much of a difference the consumers make. Several articles listed that
the main way people could help is to identify their resource of fish. Stores and
restaurants being the highest factor, as they control the majority of where people
purchase food. An interesting point I saw was that most of the solutions to a quick
recovery in fish populations would be to place large areas of the ocean as protected, no
fishing zones. However, to achieve such a feat that would require complete international
correlation, and would not be super popular politically. Not many people want to shut
down fishing in large areas of the ocean and/or be responsible for that decision.
("Declining Fish." Video -- Video Home -- National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Jan.
2016.)
In conclusion, overfishing can be stopped. With enough mass support it is as
easy as buying fish from fish farms, or from highly managed sources. We have been
using fish for food for so long many scientists do not even know when it started. Old
habits die hard. Getting use to restrictions on fish may take a while but we do not have
to avoid eating fish, that is not what this is about. This is about preserving a resource
so it can be enjoyed for centuries. Afterall if consumers make wiser choices than the
solution is quick and easy. Otherwise, we may not be able to enjoy our long favored
seafood for long, as prices for to be rare fish rise, and eradication of a precious, wanted
and needed food supply.

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Works cited:
"Overfishing -- Pristine Seas." National Geographic. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 8
Dec. 2015.

SeaFoodWatch.org "Effects of Overfishing on Wild Seafood Populations from the

Seafood Watch Program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium." Seafood Watch - Official Site
of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Program. Monterey Bay
Aquarium, n.d. Web.

WorldWIldLife.org. "Overfishing | Threats | WWF." World Wildlife Fund. N.p., n.d. Web. 8
Dec. 2015.

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Cohen, Dave. "Exaggerated Claims About Over-Fishing Of The Oceans?" Decline of

the Empire. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.

Plumer, Brad. "Just How Badly Are We Overfishing the Oceans? - The Washington
Post." Washington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.

"Over-Fishing." Speak Up For Blue. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Jan. 2016.